By Raymund B. Villanueva and Melvin C. Gascon
ANOTHER resolution was filed at the House of Representatives urging an inquiry into reported illegal mining activities in Dupax Del Norte, Nueva Vizcaya by a British mining corporation.
Kabataan Partylist Representative and Assistant Minority Leader Atty. Renee Co as well as Gabriela Women’s Party Representative Sarah Elago led the filing of House Resolution 422 last Thursday directing the House Committee on Natural Resources to probe British-owned Woggle Corporation conducting gold and copper exploration activities in the said municipality.
The resolution also urges relevant Executive Branch agencies to suspend all destructive mining operations and police and military operations in the region following clashes between protesting residents and armed state forces this month.
“Sino ba ang sinusunod ni Marcos Jr., ang mga komunidad na umaayaw ang pagmimina o ang interes ng mga dayuhang korporasyon?” Co asked.
“Ang pag apruba ng mga exploration ay paraan upang sirain at ubusin ng mga mining corporation ang likas yaman natin,” she added
Reps. Co and Elago were joined by representatives of Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (KPNE) and Center for Environmental Concerns (CEC) in yesterday’s filing.
The resolution was co-authored by ACT Teachers Partylist Rep.Antonio Tinio.
Earlier this week, Deputy Minority Leader and Mamamayang Liberal Partylist Rep. Leila de Lima also urged the House of Representatives to investigate Woggle Corporation in a separate resolution.
De Lima filed House Resolution 413 calling for a congressional inquiry into the issue and the possible revocation of Woggle’s exploration permit issued by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
“This must be investigated immediately,” De Lima said in a statement on Monday.
Nueva Vizcaya Rep. Timothy Joseph Cayton’s also authored House Bill 4502 seeking to expand protection over the province’s watersheds that are headwaters that sustain Cagayan Valley’s farms and water systems.
It was during Cayton’s incumbency as Dupax del Norte mayor that exploration permits were granted to Woogle Corp. however.
Protests and Barricades in Dupax del Norte
In a social media post, De Lima condemned what she described as government efforts to dismantle barricades and silence the protests of residents opposing the exploration project.
“Ang panawagan: Itigil ang sinasabing ilegal na pagmimina sa Dupax del Norte. Bakit ang mga kilos-protesta ang pinahihinto?” De Lima said.
The lawmaker said Novo Vizcayanos should not be silenced in asserting their rights amid growing tensions between residents and authorities enforcing a court order in favor of the mining company.
“Hindi pwedeng ipagsawalang-bahala o isantabi ang mga ito sa kahit anumang pinapasok na kasunduan ng gobyerno,” she said.
Environmental and Social Costs
De Lima warned that the environmental and social impacts of the project “can never be outweighed by any promise of economic gain.”
“Tubig, lupang kinatatayuan ng mga tahanan at mga komunidad, kabuhayan at kinabukasan ng ating mga kababayan sa Nueva Vizcaya ang apektado dito,” she said.
She added that no amount of promised development or profit can justify the destruction of the environment or the displacement of affected communities.
“Aanhin ang benepisyong ipinapangako ng mga pagmimina kung ngayon pa lang, winawasak na ang kalikasan, kabuhayan at komunidad ng mga pinapangakuan nito, lalo na kung sa pagkawasak ng kalikasan, may mga sakunang kumikitil ng mga buhay at mga pangarap ng maraming pamilya,” De Lima said.
In her resolution, De Lima cited the “pressing need” for Congress to exercise its oversight and legislative functions to determine whether environmental, mining, and local governance laws are being properly implemented.
She said the investigation aims to ensure full compliance with environmental safeguards, the protection of affected communities, and the accountability of government agencies and private entities.
The probe, De Lima added, should also determine whether stronger policy measures are needed to promote sustainable and responsible resource management and prevent future violations.
DENR Permit and Local Opposition
In August 2025, the DENR-MGB granted Woggle Corporation — an affiliate of FCF Minerals Corporation — an exploration license covering 3,102 hectares in Dupax del Norte, reportedly targeting gold and copper deposits.
However, affected residents and community groups accused the company of illegally uprooting trees, proceeding without prior consultation, and failing to secure consent from landowners and occupants as required by law.
Village councils in Barangays Oyao, Bitnong, Inaban, and Munguia have formally opposed the exploration and called for an immediate investigation and cancellation of Woggle’s permit.
Provincial Board Action and Court TRO
On August 18, the provincial board of Nueva Vizcaya passed Resolution 2025–5734, urging the DENR-MGB to revoke Woggle’s exploration license due to alleged environmental and procedural violations.
Since then, Novo Vizcayanos — joined by religious leaders, lawyers, and environmental advocates — have staged protests and road barricades to block the company’s operations.
On October 10, however, the Regional Trial Court Branch 30 in Bambang issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) in favor of Woggle Corporation, prohibiting residents from maintaining barricades and directing the Philippine National Police to enforce the order. The TRO was later extended until October 30.
‘Listen to the Communities’
De Lima urged authorities to heed the grievances of the affected residents instead of suppressing their right to protest.
“Novo Vizcayanos should not be silenced in asserting their rights. Their complaints must be heard and addressed,” she said.
“Walang kita o sinasabing pag-unlad ang makatutumbas sa buhay at ikinabubuhay ng mga apektadong komunidad na nalalagay sa peligro dahil sa ilegal na pagmimina,” De Lima added. #
