palawan: a tinderbox-an assessment of environment and natural resource use (enr) conflicts

Palawan: A TinderboxPalawan: A TinderboxAn Assessment of Environment and An Assessment of Environment and

Natural Resource Use (ENR) ConflictsNatural Resource Use (ENR) Conflicts

B.C. Bagadion, Jr., E.A. Soriano, G.O. Mendoza, M.V. Leomo

Supported by:

Draft 12.08.07

Puerto Prinsesa Subterranean River National ParkTubbataha Reefs

National Park

Palawan…UNESCO designated “Man and Biosphere

Reserve,” home to seven protected areas; two UNESCO World Heritage Sites

The last frontier of the country’s distinctive center of biodiversity




El Nido-Taytay Resource Management Protected Area







Ursula Island Game Refuge and Bird Sanctuary

Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary

Coron Island







CENTERS OF PLANT DIVERSITYCENTERS OF PLANT DIVERSITY in the PhilippinesPhilippinesareas rich in plant species, large number of endemic species, areas rich in plant species, large number of endemic species, diverse range of habitats.diverse range of habitats.

1 Sierra Madre Mountains 1 Sierra Madre Mountains Luzon IslandLuzon Island

11 Southern Samar 11 Southern Samar Samar IslandSamar Island

2 Mt Pulag2 Mt Pulag Luzon IslandLuzon Island12 Mt Guiting-guiting12 Mt Guiting-guiting Sibuyan IslandSibuyan Island

3 Mt Arayat3 Mt Arayat Luzon IslandLuzon Island 13 Mt Kanlaon13 Mt Kanlaon Negros IslandNegros Island

4 Mt Makiling4 Mt Makiling Luzon Luzon IslandIsland

14 Mt Talinis14 Mt Talinis ++ Lake BalinsayaoLake Balinsayao

Negros Island*Negros Island*

5 Lobo, Batangas5 Lobo, Batangas Luzon Island*Luzon Island*

15 Mt Baloy 15 Mt Baloy Panay Island*Panay Island*

6 Mt Isarog6 Mt Isarog Luzon IslandLuzon Island 16 Mt Kitanglad 16 Mt Kitanglad Mindanao Mindanao IslandIsland

7 Mt Iraya7 Mt Iraya Batan IslandBatan Island 17 Agusan Marsh 17 Agusan Marsh Mindanao IslandMindanao Island

8 Mt Halcon 8 Mt Halcon Mindoro Mindoro Island*Island*

18 Mt Apo 18 Mt Apo Mindanao IslandMindanao Island

9 Coron Island9 Coron Island

10 Palawan Island10 Palawan Island

Cox 1988, DENR-UNEP 1997

7

2 1

6 4

3

11

5

8 12

15

9

10 13

14

1617

18

Fernando et al. (2006)

128 Key Biodiversity Areas in the Philippines

E.O. 578 Establishing the National Policy on Biological Diversity throughout the country…

Sec. 3 …establishment of critical habitats within Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs)…

(Credit: Conservation International)

• KBAs are “sites of global significance for biodiversity conservation, identified using globally standard criteria and thresholds, based on the needs of biodiversity requiring safeguard at the site scale. “

• Identified for threatened amphibians, mammals, birds, reptiles, and freshwater fish, as well as for restricted-range and congregatory birds, using confirmed locality data for each target species.

• 51 sites have been identified as Candidate KBAs, or research priorities; if additional data or surveys confirm the presence of target species within these sites, they too will become priorities for conservation action (KBAs).


PhilippinesPhilippines

8888 Conservation Conservation Priority Areas Priority Areas forfor Plants Plants

~~ Important Important Plant AreasPlant AreasBased on presence of endangered species, endemism and taxon richness, habitat diversity, degree of exploration

Based on presence of endangered species, endemism and taxon richness, habitat diversity, degree of exploration

Fernando et al. (2006)

PALAWAN’S BIODIVERSITY…

•13 species of seagrass recorded in Palawan (81% of the known seagrass species in the country)

•31 species of mangroves in Palawan (90% of the known mangrove species in the country)

•44,500 hectares of mangrove forests in Palawan (40% of the remaining mangroves in the country)

•379 species of corals (82% of the total coral species recorded in the entire country)

•89% of total reef fish recorded in the country is found in the corridor

•4 of the 5 marine turtles are found in Palawan

•15 of the 25 recorded marine mammals are reported from Palawan


•18 species of freshwater fish is found in Palawan (50% endemic to the province)

•26 species of amphibians (25% endemic to the country, majority are confined to the corridor

•69 species of reptiles found in the corridor (29% are endemic to the country)

•279 species of birds (10% are endemic to the country)

•34% of bird species are migratory, making the region a vital flyway for migratory birds

•58 species of terrestrial mammals are recorded, 19 or 33% are endemic to the country, 16 are restricted to the corridor


PALAWAN’S BIODIVERSITY…

Island EcosystemIsland Ecosystem• ““Palawan is composed of a long main island Palawan is composed of a long main island

lying in a northeast to southwest axis and lying in a northeast to southwest axis and surrounding it are clusters of lesser surrounding it are clusters of lesser islands…..The main island has a tall steep islands…..The main island has a tall steep mountain spine running down its length mountain spine running down its length fringed by narrow coastal plans protected fringed by narrow coastal plans protected from storm waves by fringing coral reefs from storm waves by fringing coral reefs and mangrove swamps. and mangrove swamps. Although seemingly Although seemingly lush and bountiful, the environment of lush and bountiful, the environment of Palawan is fragile and its topsoils are Palawan is fragile and its topsoils are relatively thin, poor and prone to erosion.” relatively thin, poor and prone to erosion.” (Source: Strategic Environmental Plan for Palawan, Towards (Source: Strategic Environmental Plan for Palawan, Towards Sustainable Development, Prepared by the Palawan Integrated Area Sustainable Development, Prepared by the Palawan Integrated Area Development Project Office with the assistance of Hunting Technical Development Project Office with the assistance of Hunting Technical Services Limited England in association with the Orient Integrated Services Limited England in association with the Orient Integrated Development Consultants, Inc., Philippines and Sir Mac Donald and Development Consultants, Inc., Philippines and Sir Mac Donald and Partners, England)Partners, England)

Island EcosystemIsland Ecosystem• Physiography and SoilsPhysiography and Soils

– Landscape is dominated by mountain and foothills which Landscape is dominated by mountain and foothills which cover about 940,450 gectares or 82% of the total area.cover about 940,450 gectares or 82% of the total area.

– Foothill and mountain landscapes are characterized by Foothill and mountain landscapes are characterized by soils of variable depth, more often quite deep, and with soils of variable depth, more often quite deep, and with excessive external drainage and high erodibility.excessive external drainage and high erodibility.

– Its steep topography will render wide areas prone to Its steep topography will render wide areas prone to erosion should their forest cover be removed.erosion should their forest cover be removed.

– The narrow shape of the mainland and the smallness of The narrow shape of the mainland and the smallness of surrounding islands, will mean that erosion on the upper surrounding islands, will mean that erosion on the upper slopes will immediately and directly silt the coastal slopes will immediately and directly silt the coastal areas.areas.

(Source: Strategic Environmental Plan for Palawan, Towards (Source: Strategic Environmental Plan for Palawan, Towards Sustainable Development, Prepared by the Palawan Integrated Area Sustainable Development, Prepared by the Palawan Integrated Area Development Project Office with the assistance of Hunting Technical Development Project Office with the assistance of Hunting Technical Services Limited England in association with the Orient Integrated Services Limited England in association with the Orient Integrated Development Consultants, Inc., Philippines and Sir Mac Donald and Development Consultants, Inc., Philippines and Sir Mac Donald and Partners, England)Partners, England)

MINERAL POTENTIAL OF

PALAWAN

• Metallic Minerals – Metallic Minerals – nickel, chromite, nickel, chromite, iron, gold, silver, iron, gold, silver, manganese, etc.manganese, etc.

• Non-Metallic Non-Metallic MineralsMinerals –– marble, marble, limestone, limestone, cement raw cement raw minerals, silica minerals, silica sand, construction sand, construction materials, etc.materials, etc.

NEAR-COAST AND OFFSHORE RESOURCES

Manganese

Magnetite

Magnetite

Magnetite

Chromite

Chromite

Chromite

Chromite

Gold

Gold

Philippines offshore area including EEZ is 2.2 million Km2

• Placer minerals including gold, chromite, magnetite, silica

Potential offshore mineral resources:

• Aggregate resources (sand & gravel)

• Manganese nodules/encrustrations with associated copper, gold, zinc, cobalt

• Offshore Palawan also holds resources of manganese

• Metal-rich, sea-floor polymetallic sulfide deposits

Brewing TensionsBrewing Tensions

• Forest biodiversity and Forest biodiversity and watershed protection vs. watershed protection vs. miningmining

• Irrigation water source vs. Irrigation water source vs. miningmining

• Ancestral domain vs. miningAncestral domain vs. mining

In southern Palawan,In southern Palawan,

In the Mt Matalingahan In the Mt Matalingahan range and surrounding range and surrounding mountains………mountains………• where 45 of the 60 principal rivers in the where 45 of the 60 principal rivers in the

south drain,south drain,

• the watershed of seven municipalities,the watershed of seven municipalities,

• its flora and fauna are unique and of its flora and fauna are unique and of high endemism, andhigh endemism, and

• ancestral domain of many IP ancestral domain of many IP communitiescommunities

• are 122 mining claims covering 371, 951 are 122 mining claims covering 371, 951 hectares, 76.6% of which are forestedhectares, 76.6% of which are forested

• 2 MPSAs in operation and 1 exploration; 2 2 MPSAs in operation and 1 exploration; 2 of these in SEP ECAN core zones.of these in SEP ECAN core zones.

– MPSA: Mineral Production Sharing AgreementMPSA: Mineral Production Sharing Agreement– SEP: Strategic Environmental Plan for PalawanSEP: Strategic Environmental Plan for Palawan– ECAN: Environmentally Critical Area NetworkECAN: Environmentally Critical Area Network

ECAN Map of southern Palawan ECAN Map of southern Palawan with the tenement mining with the tenement mining claims claims

ECAN map of ECAN map of Bataraza Bataraza

ECAN map of Brooke’s PointECAN map of Brooke’s Point

More mining applications for development and More mining applications for development and exploration in exploration in SEP ECAN restricted and core zones…….. SEP ECAN restricted and core zones…….. MPSA Applications Covering Southern Palawan Endorsed by the MGB to the MPSA Applications Covering Southern Palawan Endorsed by the MGB to the PCSDS, as of September 2007PCSDS, as of September 2007

MunicipalityMunicipality No. of No. of ProjectsProjects

No. of No. of ProponentsProponents

(Companies (Companies

Total Area Total Area (has) (has)

Non-Non-Allowable Allowable (has)(has)

Percent of Percent of Total * Total *

AborlanAborlan 66 22 21,93121,931 20,97520,975 9696

Bataraza Bataraza 55 44 **32,923**32,923 18,73918,739 5757

Brooke’s Point Brooke’s Point 1010 55 34,07434,074 32,03232,032 9494

NarraNarra 33 22 8,1468,146 7,5077,507 9292

QuezonQuezon 55 55 18,81218,812 10,33510,335 5555

S. EspanolaS. Espanola 33 33 17,63717,637 6,9906,990 4040

RizalRizal 22 22 6,1676,167 6,1676,167 100100

totaltotal 3434 2323 139,690139,690 102,745102,745 73.573.5

*Rounded off *Rounded off **some portions are shared with neighboring municipalities **some portions are shared with neighboring municipalities

Source: Culled from PCSDS dataSource: Culled from PCSDS data

96%57% 94%

92%

55%

40%

100%

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

35,000

Aborlan Bataraza Brooke’sPoint

Narra Quezon S.Espanola

Rizal

MPSA Applications Covering Southern Palawan Endorsed by the MGB to the PCSDS as of September 2007

Total Area (has)

Non-Allowable (has)

Percent of Total

Photo taken by Conservation International (May 2006); picture shows road construction made by Platinum Group of Metals Corporation (PGMC) in connection with small scale mining operations in Barangay San Isidro, Municipality of Narra, Province of Palawan

Closer view of PGMC mine site; Photo by Bandillo ng Palawan (August 2007)

Portion of the RTNMC mining area and HPP complex showing the adjacent Mt. Bulanjao Range (Photo by Conservation International)

Photo (by Conservation International) showing mining operations the foot of Mt. Bulanjao Range. Expansion of mining activities are being pursued in the Bulanjao range which is still covered with old growth and second growth forests.

In Narra town, dubbed as In Narra town, dubbed as Palawan’s rice granary…..Palawan’s rice granary…..

• 8 small scale 8 small scale mining projects mining projects and 1 MPSA and 1 MPSA are operatingare operating

• more more applications for applications for MPSA (7), MPSA (7), small scale (22)small scale (22)

ECAN map of Narra ECAN map of Narra

the associations intake dams the associations intake dams built from NIA-loans are affected by built from NIA-loans are affected by the mining project’s siltation pond. the mining project’s siltation pond.

2 farmer irrigation 2 farmer irrigation associations opposing; associations opposing; mining area is their mining area is their watershed;watershed;

PNNI 2007

Construction of siltation pond, Narra Nickel

PNNI 2007

Intake dam of CISA in Narra

In northern Palawan……In northern Palawan……

• Small island ecological carrying Small island ecological carrying capacity vs. miningcapacity vs. mining

• Tourism, marine biodiversity Tourism, marine biodiversity protection and miningprotection and mining

In Paly Island, off mainland In Paly Island, off mainland Taytay…..Taytay…..

• 385 hectares in area385 hectares in area

• 5 small scale mining projects 5 small scale mining projects (chromites) covering a total of (chromites) covering a total of nearly 100 hectares or one-nearly 100 hectares or one-fourth of the island’s total area fourth of the island’s total area were approved.were approved.

ECAN Map with ECAN Map with mining projects mining projects of Paly Islandof Paly Island

In Coron, in the Calamianes In Coron, in the Calamianes group of islandsgroup of islands…..…..

• a marine protected areaa marine protected area

• a major tourism destinationa major tourism destination

• 3 applications for small scale 3 applications for small scale mining and 1 MPSAmining and 1 MPSA

InIn offshore Palawan….offshore Palawan….• Energy development and marine Energy development and marine

biodiversity protectionbiodiversity protection

• 28* service contracts to explore oil and natural 28* service contracts to explore oil and natural gas around Palawan Island were awarded by the gas around Palawan Island were awarded by the DOE;DOE;

• scientific studies in Australia established the scientific studies in Australia established the adverse effects of seismic activities within 5-25 adverse effects of seismic activities within 5-25 nautical miles on marine life, e.g.(fish) larval nautical miles on marine life, e.g.(fish) larval deathdeath

*for validation w DOE*for validation w DOE

one service contract (SC one service contract (SC 61) overlapped with 61) overlapped with

about 15,655 hectares of about 15,655 hectares of the Tubbataha Reefs the Tubbataha Reefs

National Marine Park, a National Marine Park, a UNESCO world heritage UNESCO world heritage

sitesite

6-7 service contracts are 6-7 service contracts are in the Sulu Sea near in the Sulu Sea near TubbatahaTubbataha

Tubbataha Reefs National Tubbataha Reefs National ParkPark

Consensus and trust Consensus and trust buildingbuilding

Different stakes, different Different stakes, different positionspositions

• Polarized stakeholdersPolarized stakeholders

• Climate of distrustClimate of distrust

Mining Forum…..an Mining Forum…..an opportunity for 3opportunity for 3rdrd party party mediationmediation

• Shuttle diplomacyShuttle diplomacy

• Crafting the forum designCrafting the forum design

Mining Forum…Dec 6, 2007Mining Forum…Dec 6, 2007

MGB, Gov, Vice- Gov, PCSDS ED, BCB(moderator)MGB, Gov, Vice- Gov, PCSDS ED, BCB(moderator)

DENR, MGB….DENR, MGB….

“…“…responsible mining as engine for national responsible mining as engine for national growth and development…”growth and development…”

MGB director DENR Asst Sec

Mining companies….Mining companies….

“…“…mining is not evil, we are trying to be mining is not evil, we are trying to be socially and environmentally responsible…”socially and environmentally responsible…”

Berong Nickel Co CEO

LGUs, PCSDLGUs, PCSD

“…“…we want growth we want growth but we also need to but we also need to protect Palawan’s protect Palawan’s fragile fragile ecosystem…”ecosystem…”

Governor Reyes

Vice-Mayor of Brooke’s Point

ChurchChurch

“…“…..respect for life, for the dignity of the human respect for life, for the dignity of the human person is the ultimate guiding norm for any person is the ultimate guiding norm for any sound economic, industrial, scientific progress.”sound economic, industrial, scientific progress.”

Bishop Arigo

NGOs, other support NGOs, other support groups….groups….

“…“…responsible mining is just rhetoric…experience responsible mining is just rhetoric…experience shows destruction of the environment, continuing shows destruction of the environment, continuing poverty of host comunities”poverty of host comunities”

PNNI Atty Anda / ELAC

Host communities….Host communities….

“…“…..improvement sin community improvement sin community infrastructure, jobs and livelihood infrastructure, jobs and livelihood creation, skills trainincreation, skills training..”g..”

IP Representative

Farmer Representative

Host communities…Host communities…

“…“…pollution of dam, pollution of dam, threat of soil erosion, threat of soil erosion, degradation of soil degradation of soil quality,decrease rice quality,decrease rice production….”production….”

“…“…divisive, non-release divisive, non-release of promised royalty of promised royalty payment, erosion of payment, erosion of IPs’ culture..”IPs’ culture..”

Farmer RepresentativeIP Representative

Common ground….Common ground….

• SEP ECANSEP ECAN

• Responsible miningResponsible mining

Outcomes…..Outcomes…..

• Governor vowed to push for the President’s Governor vowed to push for the President’s formal approval of Mt Matalingahan as formal approval of Mt Matalingahan as protected area.protected area.

• Moratorium for accepting mining Moratorium for accepting mining applications in Mt Matalingahan.applications in Mt Matalingahan.

• Increase civil society representation in Increase civil society representation in mining project monitoring teams and the mining project monitoring teams and the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board.Provincial Mining Regulatory Board.

• Public access to assessment and evaluation Public access to assessment and evaluation reports on mining projects.reports on mining projects.

• Release of mining royalty to IPs.Release of mining royalty to IPs.

• Issues for further researchIssues for further research

– Can mining be responsible? Can mining be responsible?

•Mining companies in Palawan claim Mining companies in Palawan claim they practice responsible mining. One they practice responsible mining. One large company is working for its ISO. large company is working for its ISO. Other stakeholders however refute the Other stakeholders however refute the claim with documented evidence to the claim with documented evidence to the contrary.contrary.


– Mining Royalty: Boon or Bane to Mining Royalty: Boon or Bane to host IP communities?host IP communities?

• About 90% of the 70 IP communities in About 90% of the 70 IP communities in Palawan are hosts to mining projects and Palawan are hosts to mining projects and mining claims. Fourteen million pesos have mining claims. Fourteen million pesos have reportedly been made available to 2 host reportedly been made available to 2 host communities by one mining project. The use communities by one mining project. The use of the money is causing tensions between of the money is causing tensions between company and communities and among company and communities and among community members. Concern is raised that community members. Concern is raised that the money is wrecking havoc on the cultural the money is wrecking havoc on the cultural integrity of the IPs. Cell phones reportedly integrity of the IPs. Cell phones reportedly have been used to buy consent of IP leaders.have been used to buy consent of IP leaders.


– Mining Royalty: Boon or Bane to Mining Royalty: Boon or Bane to host IP communities?host IP communities?

• About 90% of the 70 IP communities in About 90% of the 70 IP communities in Palawan are hosts to mining projects and Palawan are hosts to mining projects and mining claims. Fourteen million pesos have mining claims. Fourteen million pesos have reportedly been made available to 2 host reportedly been made available to 2 host communities by one mining project. The use communities by one mining project. The use of the money is causing tensions between of the money is causing tensions between company and communities and among company and communities and among community members. Concern is raised that community members. Concern is raised that the money is wrecking havoc on the cultural the money is wrecking havoc on the cultural integrity of the IPs. Cell phones reportedly integrity of the IPs. Cell phones reportedly have been used to buy consent of IP leaders.have been used to buy consent of IP leaders.


– The Politics of MiningThe Politics of Mining

Mayor Hagedorn of Puerto Princesa said “No” Mayor Hagedorn of Puerto Princesa said “No” to mining till his term ends. Some LGUs to mining till his term ends. Some LGUs welcome it; others have set limits to the welcome it; others have set limits to the number of mining projects they can allow. What number of mining projects they can allow. What underlies the differing positions of the LGUs underlies the differing positions of the LGUs??

- Irrigation vs MiningIrrigation vs Mining

Farmers are opposing mining projects in their Farmers are opposing mining projects in their areas (Narra, Brooke’s Pt) because the project areas (Narra, Brooke’s Pt) because the project threatens their irrigation water supply. Concern threatens their irrigation water supply. Concern is raised of the threat to food (rice) security.is raised of the threat to food (rice) security.


– The Politics of MiningThe Politics of Mining

Mayor Hagedorn of Puerto Princesa said “No” Mayor Hagedorn of Puerto Princesa said “No” to mining till his term ends. Some LGUs to mining till his term ends. Some LGUs welcome it; others have set limits to the welcome it; others have set limits to the number of mining projects they can allow. What number of mining projects they can allow. What underlies the differing positions of the LGUs underlies the differing positions of the LGUs??

- Irrigation vs MiningIrrigation vs Mining

Farmers are opposing mining projects in their Farmers are opposing mining projects in their areas (Narra, Brooke’s Pt) because the project areas (Narra, Brooke’s Pt) because the project threatens their irrigation water supply. Concern threatens their irrigation water supply. Concern is raised of the threat to food (rice) security.is raised of the threat to food (rice) security.

palawan: a tinderbox-an assessment of environment and natural resource use (enr) conflicts

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