ILOILO CITY – A climb for a cause was successfully held in Pan de Azucar, an island in Concepcion town in Iloilo, on March 1 – 2, 2024. The activity was participated by various advocates and supporters of the campaign against the mining exploration on the island.
It can be noted that in the last quarter of 2023, the news broke that TVI Resource Development Philippines, Inc. will hold a mining exploration on the island, which the people strongly oppose.
According to the Save Pan de Azucar Movement, the climb for a cause activity that they organized was intended to educate the community and the hikers on the ongoing mining exploration on the island, show the importance of protecting the natural resources, and most of all to show everyone the beauty of Pan de Azucar.
The group called for the cessation of mining exploration on the island. They also call on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to not renew the company’s permit which will expire in July 2024.
A few days after the successful climb for a cause, Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. issued a Cease-and-Desist Order to stop the ongoing mining exploration on the island.
In a ground inspection conducted by the Iloilo Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office on January 10, it was found that there is a presence of arsenic, a deadly chemical, in the groundwater near where the mining exploration is being conducted.
The Save Pan de Azucar Movement welcomed the governor’s move, which for the group was a victory.
In related news, residents of the island were joined by different stakeholders in a Pray for a Cause activity held last April 13 to continue the campaign to defend the island and stop the mining exploration./PT
