Indigenous communities unite to urge provincial gov’t halt quarry operations in Labangan river
A coalition of indigenous groups, encompassing Subanen and Moro communities, is urgently appealing to Governor Victor Yu to put an immediate stop to quarry operations in the Labangan River in Mindanao.
In a unified effort, the coalition has sent their grievances against provincial and local officials, and also to other private entities, vowing to escalate the matter to higher authorities if their pleas are not acted upon.
The Labangan River has long served as a crucial source of high quality sand, gravel, and pristine mountain water, sustaining the livelihoods of residents in the affected regions.
However, extensive and prolonged quarrying activities have taken a heavy toll on the river, causing severe damage that is adversely impacting the lives of the people in five barangays.
Additionally, the river and a spillway connecting barangays Cogonan, Noburan, Langapod, and Bagalupa have incurred significant damage. The constant passage of large dump trucks through the area has also resulted in extensive damage to the roads in Tulangan and Binayan.
This critical issue was brought to the forefront by a united front of indigenous peoples within the provincial government, led by Governor Victor Yu and Labangan Mayor Eduardo Relacion, alongside various private entities involved in quarry operations within the region.
Their concerns gained widespread attention during a rally, where Subanen, Moro, and some Christian communities joined forces, demanding an end to quarrying along the Labangan River.
Braulio Anlimon, leader among the indigenous groups, voiced his concerns, highlighting that the abuse of their ancestral land had reached alarming levels, with their rights being blatantly disregarded, even within their own ancestral domain.
Notably, government agencies responsible for addressing the issue, including the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), have yet to provide a response to these pressing concerns.
In response, the NIA, as per a statement made by Regional Manager June Nathaniel Plaza during a media interview, has refuted allegations of any illegal quarry activity occurring near the dam within the city limits.
While several prominent figures have voiced their support for the indigenous communities’ grievances, other authorities connected to this matter have thus far refrained from making any official comments.
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