Protect the rural communities and indigenous peoples in Palawan and Zambales. 

The climate crisis threatens the enjoyment of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of present and future generations, and ultimately, the future of humanity. It is critical that the world transitions away from the use and production of fossil fuels to renewable energy sources to address the climate crisis.  

However, in the Philippines, the world’s largest exporter of nickel ore, poorly regulated extraction of raw materials needed for the energy transition is leading to deforestation, environmental damage and serious harm the livelihood, health and access to water of rural communities and Indigenous Peoples in the provinces of Zambales and Palawan.  

What is the problem? 

Amnesty International’s research report entitled What do we get in return? How the Philippines nickel boom harms human rights?” documents interviews with 90 community members, as well as site visits and scrutiny of project documents, court records and images evidencing the impact of nickel mining operations to the human rights of communities in Zambales and Palawan and irregularities in the Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) processes that enabled these mining companies to operate in the area.  

The report shows how Indigenous and rural communities did not receive adequate explanations about the human rights and environmental risks of nickel mining and were denied proper consultations on the mining projects. Community members and advocates in both Brooke’s Point (Palawan) and Santa Cruz (Zambales) reported that they were unable to access vital project documents crucial to understanding the impacts of nickel mining on their communities, including the findings of environmental impact assessments. In some cases, project documents had been denied to community members, even when they had been specifically requested.  

Amnesty International also documented several irregularities with the FPIC processes for mining projects in Palawan such as Ipilan Nickel Corporation (INC) ignoring cease-and-desist orders from the government and withdrawal of consent from the indigenous community. Interviewees have also shared they and other community members had been offered money by the mining companies to support their nickel mining projects, and some even described being subject to threats because of their opposition to mining activities. 

All these further underscore the heavy damage these mining companies and their operations have inflicted on the health and livelihood of the community members. Both areas are heavily dependent on farming rice, vegetables, and root crops. However, the mining operations have caused increased flooding, and declining crop yields. Many have also reported concerns over access to clean water for consumption and domestic use. In Brooke’s Point, members of the Indigenous Pala’wan community are worried of the growing contamination of water sources they have traditionally used for drinking.  

These Nickel mining operations are undermining the peoples’ right to a healthy environment, including clean air, access to clean water, access to information, the right to participate in decision-making, and access to justice and effective remedies. The companies and the government are responsible. 

What needs to happen 

Companies have a responsibility to conduct due diligence to identify and prevent human rights abuses linked to their operations or business relationships and address negative impacts when they are found to occur. In situations where FPIC is not possible, companies should responsibly disengage in consultation with affected Indigenous People and cease planned operations.  

The government, led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., must be more proactive and effective in protecting communities against human rights abuses by the nickel mining industry and hold the perpetrators accountable.  

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources must suspend operations in Brooke’s Point, Palawan and Santa Cruz, Zambales until an impartial investigation into the human rights and environmental abuses of these companies are carried out; and, in consultation with impacted communities, effective remedy is provided to the rural communities and indigenous groups whose rights have been harmed. 

SIGN THE PETITION

Tell the Philippine Government to suspend and investigate the harmful nickel mining operations in Zambales and Palawan.  

Call on DENR to halt the nickel mining operations in Palawan and Zambales that are harming the right to health, water, and livelihood of rural communities and indigenous peoples. 

*REQUIRED FIELDS/KAILANGANG PUNAN
COUNTRY/BANSA


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