By Philippine Daily Inquirer | July 9, 2025

MANILA, Philippines — The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Oriental Mindoro has ordered an immediate halt to all large-scale dredging, quarrying and mining of black sand and other mineral resources in the province’s waters, citing environmental destruction, legal violations, and growing public outcry.

Through Provincial Resolution No. 7768-2025, the provincial board has directed Southern Concrete Industries Inc. (SCII), China Harbor Engineering Co., San Miguel Aero City, and parent firm San Miguel Holdings Corp. to “immediately cease and desist” from extracting, transporting, selling, or otherwise disposing of black sand and related materials taken from the province’s municipal waters, coastlines or beaches.

The board said the ban will remain in effect pending its own legislative investigation into the environmental and legal ramifications of the ongoing operations.

Public complaints

The board cited mounting complaints from residents of Gloria, a coastal municipality in the eastern part of the province, where dredging activities have been concentrated. Gloria, known for its beaches, mangrove forests and agricultural lands, has seen sand extracted from the Balete River and nearby shorelines since at least May 2025.

Local opposition intensified after the use of dredging vessels reportedly owned by China Harbor Engineering Co., and the transport of sand to San Miguel Aero City, a planned airport and economic zone in Bulacan, began. The sand extraction is covered under an Ore Transport Permit (OTP) issued by the MGB-MIMAROPA on April 4, 2025.

The resolution emphasized the board’s responsibility under Article II, Section 16 of the 1987 Constitution, which guarantees the people’s right to a balanced and healthful ecology. It also cited Republic Act No. 7160, or the Local Government Code, empowering local governments to safeguard the welfare of their communities.

The board declared that black sand dredging, whether done under the guise of river restoration or formal permitting, can result in “grave and irreparable injury” to marine ecosystems, agriculture, coastal stability and tourism. It said that the provincial government had not issued any express authority for such operations.

Rescinding prior support

In Resolution No. 7764-2025, the board formally rescinded Resolution No. 6650-2023, which previously supported river restoration efforts through dredging. That earlier measure was passed by the previous board in response to a request from Gov. Humerlito Dolor on Oct. 23, 2023.

The new resolution affirms the board’s support for river restoration only if it follows a master plan with proper engineering design and excludes black sand mining or similarly destructive activities, even when presented as navigation channel improvements.

The shift in policy follows Dolor’s issuance of a Notice to Proceed to SCII and the Pasig River Expressway Corp. in July 2024, paving the way for dredging operations that have since faced backlash from residents, especially in Gloria and surrounding areas.

Agencies urged to enforce ban

In a related measure, Resolution No. 7767-2025, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan called on national agencies–including the Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, MARINA, Philippine Ports Authority, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and Department of Tourism (DOT)—to enforce key environmental laws in the province.

These include:

• Batas Pambansa Blg. 265, which prohibits the extraction of sand and gravel that degrades beach landscapes; and
• The Philippine Mining Act of 1995, which bans mineral extraction within 500 meters from the coastline and 200 meters from the mean low tide mark.

The board cited DENR guidance indicating that black sand mining leads to erosion, saltwater intrusion into farmlands, and disruption of local livelihoods.

The resolutions were authored by Board Member Emmanuel S. Buenaventura and co-authored by Vice Gov. Antonio S. Perez Jr., who presided over the session. Copies were ordered served to all relevant government agencies, regional offices, and local officials across the province, including barangay leaders and congressional representatives.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer