Kiko Pangilinan has filed a resolution calling for a Senate investigation into the mining dispute in Dupax del Norte, Nueva Vizcaya, citing concerns over environmental protection, public consultation, and the rights of local and Indigenous communities.
Pangilinan said the proposed Senate Resolution No. 284 seeks an inquiry, in aid of legislation, into the issuance and implementation of an exploration permit granted to a foreign-owned company operating in the area. He pointed to allegations that the DENR–Mines and Geosciences Bureau Exploration Permit No. EP 00003011 may have been issued and carried out amid unresolved questions on environmental compliance, community consultation, and adherence to the Free, Prior and Informed Consent process required for projects affecting Indigenous peoples.
The senator said the investigation aims to determine whether environmental and procedural rules were followed and to examine the roles of national and local government agencies in overseeing the permit and enforcing regulations. He noted reports of serious environmental risks linked to the mining activities, as well as claims that residents were not adequately consulted before the project moved forward.
Pangilinan said the Senate probe is intended to establish a clear account of how the exploration permit was granted and implemented, and to assess whether safeguards meant to protect communities and ecosystems were properly observed. He stressed that the inquiry should also clarify accountability among government offices involved in approving and monitoring the project.
According to Pangilinan, the ultimate goal of the resolution is to ensure that the rights, livelihoods, and safety of Dupax del Norte residents are protected and given priority, while providing a factual basis for possible legislative measures to prevent similar disputes in the future.
