By Ace Sapit | Philippine Information Agency | June 19, 2025

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro (PIA) — Assistant Majority Leader and Oriental Mindoro First District Representative Arnan C. Panaligan announced that he will refile two key legislative measures on June 30, both aimed at advancing environmental protection and public health services in the region.

The first is a renewed push for House Bill 3891, which seeks to declare the entire island of Mindoro as a mining-free zone. While the bill previously passed the committee level, it did not advance to the plenary for further deliberation.

“Mindoro’s ecological balance is too valuable to risk. We must preserve our natural resources for the benefit of future generations,” Panaligan said during the oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected officials in Oriental Mindoro held at Calapan City Convention Center on June 17.

Panaligan stressed the importance of protecting the island from destructive extractive activities.

“Allowing mining operations in Mindoro would cause irreversible damage to our environment. It might also displace indigenous communities and worse, threaten our local livelihoods. We must stand firm in keeping Mindoro a sanctuary for both people and nature,” he added.

The second measure is House Bill 2116, which proposes the conversion of the Oriental Mindoro Provincial Hospital into the MIMAROPA Regional Hospital. The bill also cleared the committee stage but reportedly faced opposition from the Provincial Government of Oriental Mindoro.

“The intention of this bill is to elevate the quality and accessibility of healthcare in the region by ensuring our hospital can serve as a referral center for the entire MIMAROPA area,” Panaligan explained.

He stressed that “Despite some local concerns, I believe this upgrade will bring long-term benefits to our people.”

Both bills are expected to be refiled in the upcoming session of the 19th Congress.

Panaligan, who is now on his second term as congressional district representative of the province, and ran unopposed in the recent national and local elections, took an oath of office before Regional Trial Court Branch 40 Presiding Judge Charity Grace Rico and witnessed by local officials, heads of national government agencies and other stakeholders.

Source: Philippine Information Agency

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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