REVISED DRAFT

Scoping Study on Extractive Industry Governance and

Transparency in the Bangsamoro

1.0 Background

The concept of an autonomous region for Muslim Mindanao emanated from the Tripoli
Agreement between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro
National Liberation Front (MNLF) signed on 02 December 1976. The creation of
autonomous regions, meanwhile, is mandated under the 1987 Philippine Constitution (Sec.
15-21, Art. X).

As an enabling legislative act, the Congress of the Philippines formulated the Organic Act to
Establish the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao also known as Republic Act (RA)
6734. It was approved by President Corazon C. Aquino on 01 August 1989. In the same
year, RA 6734 was submitted for ratification through a plebiscite held in 13 provinces,
namely: Basilan, Sulu, Tawi Tawi, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Lanao del
Norte, Lanao del Sur, Davao del Sur, North Cotabato, Maguindanao, South Cotabato, Sultan
Kudarat, and Palawan, and in all cities situated therein. Out of these 13 provinces, only four
provinces: Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, Lanao del Sur, and Maguindanao – ratified RA 6734 and
became part of the territory of the ARMM.

The final agreement on the implementation of the 1976 Tripoli Agreement between the GPH
and the MNLF was signed on 02 September 1996. The Peace Agreement was divided into
two phases. Phase I covered a three-year period during which the President would issue an
executive order establishing the Special Zone of Peace and Development (SZOPAD), the
Southern Philippine Council for Peace and Development (SPCPD), and the Consultative
Assembly. In Phase 2, the Philippine Congress shall complete the legislative process that
would repeal or amend the Organic Act of the ARMM (RA 6734) to ensure that the points of
consensus in the Peace Agreement would be integrated into the new law.

The new autonomy law drafted by the Philippine Congress, RA 9054, was however rejected
by the MNLF arguing that it watered down the 1996 Peace Agreement. On 31 March 2001,
RA 9054 lapsed into law without the signature of the President of the Philippines.

In the plebiscite needed for the ratification of RA 9054, held during the same year and in the
same provinces as abovementioned, five provinces and one city, namely: Basilan and Marawi
City including the four provinces which ratified RA 6734 - Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, Lanao del Sur,
Maguindanao---voted for ratification and inclusion in the ARMM. Thus, these five provinces
and one city currently make up the present territory of ARMM.

2.0 Legal framework

General framework

The fundamental legal basis of all laws and policies in the country and all autonomous
regions including the ARMM is the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

1
The 1987 Philippine Constitution provides power to autonomous regions the supervision over
metallic and other non- energy materials stating thus: “Within its territorial jurisdiction and
subject to the provisions of this Constitution and national laws, the organic act of the
autonomous regions shall provide for legislative powers over: Xxx. (3) Ancestral domain
and natural resources” (Sec 20, Art X).

Hence, all legislative acts, administrative issuances, executive orders, judicial decisions and
all related policy documents are required to be in line with this basic law of the land.

Currently, in the absence of its own legislation related to the exploration, development,
utilization and protection of minerals and other natural resources 1, the ARMM adheres to
existing national laws. These are as follows:

 Large-scale mining (metallic and non-metallic)

 Republic Act 7942, also known as the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 and its
Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR)
 Executive Order (EO) 79
 Small-scale metallic mining
 RA 7076
 PD 1899
 EO 79
 Small-scale non-metallic mining
 RA 7160 also known as the Local Government Code

Under RA 7942 and its Revised Implementing Rules and Regulation including DENR
Administrative Order (DAO) Nos. 2010-13 and Consolidated DAO No. 2010-21, mining
companies are required to undertake social development, environmental protection and
rehabilitation programs as well as establish trust funds that will ensure availability of
financing these mandatory expenditures. A summary of these programs and funds is
presented below:

1The ARMM was reportedly (as of January 2015) in the process of crafting a mining law as part of the regional
government’s efforts to protect the environment and regulate the entry of mining companies in the region.
However the finalization of said law was put on hold due to the conduct of local and national elections. From
2013 to 2015, five large-scale mining companies registered with ARMM Regional Board of Investments (RBOI).
The RBOI however announced that there is no official policy welcoming or encouraging mining investments in
the ARMM. The existing ARMM policy is that no income tax holiday or incentives are given to mining
companies. It was also announced that the regional government wants to avail the full rent and revenue
generating potential of investments in the extractive industry. Likewise, the mining investors reportedly are
required to get the full consent and social acceptability of the communities they operate in before they are
allowed to operate.

2
Mandatory Social and Environmental Programs and Expenditures of Mining Companies
Type Description Rate

Mandatory Expenditures

Annual Environmental Annual Environmental Protection and Under DENR Administrative

Protection and Enhancement Program (AEPEP) refers to a Order No. 2010-21, AEPEP cost
Enhancement Program yearly environmental management work shall approximate 3-5% of direct
(AEPEP) plan. The AEPEP is based on the approved mining and milling cost.
Environmental Protection and Enhancement
Program (EPEP) covering the life of the
mining project.

The AEPEP is implemented

to achieve the environmental management
objectives, criteria and commitments
including protection and rehabilitation of the
disturbed environment.

The AEPEP cost covers the amount of

environment-related expenses for the entire
life of the project wherein the initial 10% of
capital/project cost is derived from the
feasibility study which forms part of the
Declaration of Mining Project Feasibility.

Community Development Community development program refers to
Program the enhancement of the socio-economic
condition of the host and neighboring
communities during the exploration
activities.
10% of the approved budget for
the mining company’s two (2)
year Exploration Work Program

Environmental Work EWP refers to the comprehensive and Not applicable

Program (EWP) strategic environmental management plan to
achieve the environmental management
objectives, criteria and commitments
including protection and rehabilitation of the
disturbed environment during the exploration
period. It provides detailed environment
projects/activities where the exploration
work is proposed to be undertaken. Potential
effects are identified as well as
environmental management measures to be
implemented including the total cost of such
projects.

Safety and Health Program The program includes standard operating Not applicable
procedures for mining and milling
operations, management and employee
training, housekeeping, environmental risk
management including emergency response
as well as occupational health and safety
management.

Social Development SDMP refers to the approved 1.5% of prior year’s operating
Management Program comprehensive five-year plan of the expenses
(SDMP) contractor/permit holder/lessee

3
 Type Description Rate

authorized to conduct actual mining and

milling operations towards the sustained
improvement in the living standards of the
host and neighboring communities by
creating responsible, self-reliant and
resource-based communities capable of
developing, implementing and managing
community development programs, projects,
and activities in a manner consistent with the
principle of people empowerment.

SDMP is formulated to fulfil social

obligations enhancing the development of
communities that are directly and/or
indirectly affected by the mining project.
The 1.5% of annual operating expenditure
for SDMP shall be distributed as follows:

Program Allocation
(%)
Social Development & 75
Management (host and
neighboring communities)
Mining Technology and 10
Geosciences Advancement
Information, Education & 15
Communication

Environmental Funds

Mine Rehabilitation Fund MRF is maintained as a reasonable

(MRF) environmental deposit to ensure availability
of funds for the satisfactory compliance with
the commitments and performance of the
activities stipulated in the AEPEP. This is
deposited as a trust fund in a government
depository bank and shall be used for
physical and social rehabilitation of areas
and communities affected by mining
activities as well as for research on the
social, technical and preventive aspects of
rehabilitation.

The MRF is broken down The MTF covers maintenance and other
into two forms, namely: operating budget for the transportation and
a) Mine Monitoring Trust travel expenses, cost of laboratory analysis,
Fund (MTF); and cost of supplies and materials, cost of
communication services, cost of consultancy
work and other reasonable expenses incurred
by the monitoring team.
b) Rehabilitation Cash The RCF covers rehabilitation activities and
Fund (RCF) schedules, including research programs, as
defined in the EPEP/AEPEP.
Mine Monitoring Trust Fund is a
deposit of not less than PhP150
thousand.
Rehabilitation Cash Fund is
equivalent to 10% of the total
amount needed to implement the
EPEP or PhP5 million,
whichever is lower.

4
 Type Description
Mine Waste and Tailings The Mine Waste and Tailings Fees Reserve
Fees Reserve Fund Fund is to be used for payment of
compensation for damages caused by any
mining operations and for research projects
duly approved by the Contingent Liability
and Rehabilitation Fund Steering Committee.
Fine Mine Rehabilitation The fund is established to ensure the full cost
and Decommissioning of the approved Fine Mine Rehabilitation
Fund and Decommissioning Plan (FMR/DP)
accrued before the end of the operating life
of the mine.
Sources: Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 7942, Consolidated DENR Administrative Order
No. 2010-21 and Philippine Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative Report 2014, Reconciliation Report,
Vol 2.
Aside from the above-mentioned expenditures, mining companies are likewise mandated to
cover the following taxes and fees pursuant to RA 7942:
Mandated Taxes and Fees
Type Description
Concerned government agency: Bureau of Internal Revenue
Corporate income tax Calculated based on estimated
taxable income
Excise tax Imposed on coal, metallic and non-
metallic minerals
Selected final withholding tax Portion of payments made to
foreign shareholders, head office,
and claim owners
Improperly Accumulated Earnings Applied to closely-held
Tax (IAET) corporations that have retained
excess earnings instead of
declaring dividends
Concerned government entity: Bureau of Customs
Customs duties Imposed on all articles imported
from any foreign country into the
Rate
PhP0.05/metric ton of mine
waste produced and
PhP0.10/metric ton of mill
tailings generated. This Fund is
remitted to DENR-MGB
Not applicable
Rate
Generally at 30% unless entities
are under different tax regimes
including gross income taxation
(5%) or ITH (0%). Upon
expiration of ITH, normal income
tax is levied
2% of actual market value of the
gross output thereof at the time of
removal
Ranges between 5% and 30%
depending on type of payments
made (e.g. cash or property
dividends), as well as existing tax
treaty with another country
10% of improperly accumulated
taxable income
Computed using varying rates
depending on the nature and value
5
 Type
Value added tax
Concerned government entity: Philippine Ports Authority
Wharfage fees
Concerned government entity: Mines and Geosciences Bureau
Royalty in mineral reservation
Concerned government entity: Department of Energy
Government share from oil and gas
Training fund for DOE employees
Concerned government entity: Local Government Unit
Local business tax
Real property tax –
Basic and Special Education Fund
Description
Philippines, except as otherwise
specifically provided for in the
tariff and customs and other laws
Mainly imposed on imported
capital equipment
Imposed for the use of wharf and is
assessed against every container
and cargo
Mandated for contractors/permit
holders/lessees who are parties to a
mineral agreement
Mandated for entities under service
contracts
Assistance for training programs,
scholarships, conferences, seminars
and other similar activities for
DOE personnel
Allocated between head office and
plant/project office
Levied on land and machinery.
Portion of real property is
expended exclusively for the
activities of the Department of
Education
Rate
of the imported article
12% of landed cost of the value of
imported article plus other charges,
as well as excise tax
Tariff varies based on whether the
import/export cargo is domestic or
international and is calculated
using cargo quantity, weight or
measure received and/or
discharged by a vessel.
Entities with private ports are only
liable to pay half or 50% of
assessed wharfage fees.
Not less than 5% of the market
value of the gross output of the
minerals/mineral products
extracted or produced from mineral
reservations, exclusive of all other
taxes
60% of net revenue
Equivalent to US$20,000 during
exploration/development period
and US$50,000 per year during
production period
Not exceeding 2% of gross sales or
receipts of the preceding calendar
year
1 % to 2% of the assessed value of
real property
6
 Type Description Rate

Occupation fees LGU’s share in occupation fees Computed by MGB and are
levied by the MGB allocated as follows: 30% to the
Provincial government, 42% to the
municipal government and 28% to
the barangay

Other local taxes and fees Nature and rates of local taxes vary depending on the Local Government
Code provision/s imposed

Concerned government entity: National Commission on Indigenous Peoples

Royalty for IPs Based on DAO No. 96-40 Not less than 1% of gross output

Free and prior informed consent One-time payment for the conduct Based on the data gathered during
(FPIC) expenditure of FPIC proceedings the conduct of the field-based
investigation
Source: Philippine Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative Report 2014, Reconciliation
Report, Vol. 2

Meanwhile, the Organic Act for the ARMM, RA 9054, has specific provisions on the
development and use of its natural resources. These provisions are presented below.

Specific Provisions of RA 9054 on Natural Resources Development and Use

Section 5, Article 6 of RA 9054 states that “the control and supervision over the exploration,
utilization, development, and protection of the mines and minerals and other natural
resources” within the ARMM are vested in the Regional Government in accordance with the
Philippines Constitution and the pertinent provisions of this Organic Act “except for the
strategic minerals such as uranium, petroleum, and other fossil fuels, mineral oils, all sources
of potential energy, as well as national reserves and aquatic parks, forest and watershed
reservations already delimited by authority of the national government” (underscoring
provided).

Revenue allocation
RA 9054 likewise provides the sharing of revenues, taxes or fees between the national
government and the ARMM in strategic minerals. It states that 50 percent of the revenues,
taxes, or fees derived from the use and development of the strategic minerals shall accrue to
the national government and the other 50 percent shall be remitted to the ARMM within 30
days from the end of every quarter of every year (Sec. 5 (b), Art XII).

The 50 percent share of the ARMM abovementioned shall be apportioned to the following:
30 percent to the Regional Government; 20 percent to all the provinces in ARMM; 15 percent
to all the cities; 20 percent to all the municipalities; and 15 percent to all the barangays. If
there are no cities in the autonomous region as of the date the sharing above mentioned is
done, the share of the cities shall be divided equally by all the provinces, municipalities, and
barangay in the ARMM (Sec 5 (c), Art XII).

7
Granting of Franchises, Concessions, Leases, Licenses and Permits
The ARMM Regional Assembly has the authority to grant franchises and concessions and
may empower the Regional Governor to grant leases, permits, and licenses over agricultural,
forest, or mineral lands. The said leases, permits, franchises, or concessions shall cover
areas not exceeding the limits allowed by the Constitution and shall subsist for a period not
exceeding 25 years. The Regional Assembly or Congress may terminate existing leases,
permits, licenses, franchises, and concessions (Sec. 5 (d), Art. XII).

Currently, the ARMM Governor is granted by the Regional Assembly blanket authority to
issue such leases, permits and licenses (Resolution No. 38 Series of 1994).

Consultations with Concerned Indigenous Peoples

The ARMM Regional Assembly shall issue permits, licenses, franchises, or concessions over
the natural resources located within the boundaries of an ancestral domain only after
consultations are conducted with the cultural community concerned (Sec 5 (e), Art XII).

Use and Development of Natural Resources Open to Citizens

The exploration, development, and utilization of natural resources, except those referred to in
the underscored sentence mentioned above, shall be allowed to all citizens and to private
enterprises, including corporations, associations, cooperatives, and such other similar
collective organizations with at least 60 percent of their capital investment/stocks directly
controlled or owned by citizens (Sec 6, Art XII).

Preferential Rights of Citizen-Inhabitants of ARMM

Citizens who are inhabitants of ARMM have the preferential rights over the exploration,
utilization, and development of natural resources of the autonomous region, subject to the
exceptions provided by RA 9054 (Sec 7, Art XII).

Rules, Regulations and Fees

The ARMM Regional Assembly is given the power to regulate the exploration, utilization,
development, and protection of the natural resources, including the mines and minerals,
except the strategic minerals as provided in RA 9054. The Regional Government shall
prescribe the rules and regulations and impose regulatory fees in connection therewith (Sec 8,
Art XII).

Regulation of Small-Scale Mining

Small-scale mining shall be regulated by the Regional Government to the end that the
ecological balance, safety and health, and the interests of the indigenous cultural
communities, the miners, and the people of the place where such operations are conducted are
duly protected and safeguarded (Sec 9, Art XII).

On Sharing of Internal Revenue, Natural Resources Taxes, Fees and Charges

The collections of a province or city from taxes imposed on natural resources, national
internal revenue taxes, fees and charges shall be distributed as follows:
 35 percent to the province or city;
 35 percent to the regional government/ARMM
 30 percent to the national government

(Sec. 9, Art. IX, RA 9054)

8
Agreements affecting natural resources under the peace tracks with MNLF and MILF

Under the GRP-MNLF Peace Track unresolved issues, the MNLF demands 70 percent of
revenues on strategic minerals and the MNLF limits the definition of strategic minerals to
uranium and imported minerals.

Under the GPH-MILF Peace Track evolving from the GRP-MNLF 1996 Peace Agreement
and RA 9054, the MILF and GPH agreed under the Annex on Revenue Generation and
Wealth Sharing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB), the following
provisions:

 “Government income derived from the exploration, development and utilization of

natural resources within the Bangsamoro shall be allocated in the following manner:

 For non-metallic minerals (sand, gravel and quarry resources), 100% of the revenues
shall pertain to the Bangsamoro and its constituent local government units;
 For metallic minerals, 75% shall pertain to the Bangsamoro while the remaining 25%
shall pertain to the Central Government; and,
 For fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) and uranium, there shall be equal sharing of
government income from this economic activity.

 With regard to the sharing arrangement, the law shall provide a review mechanism.
The share of the Bangsamoro from these government revenues shall include those for its
constituent local government units. Royalties that should accrue to indigenous
communities as provided in the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act should not be affected as
well.”

3.0 Extractive Sector in ARMM

Metallic Mining

As an offshoot of the Arroyo administration’s promotion of mining activities in the country

and the 2005 Supreme Court decision to allow foreign investments in the mining industry and
the constitutionality of Republic Act 7942, twelve mining companies were issued Exploratory
Permits between 2007 to 2009 in ARMM. Seven of these companies had Tawi-Tawi as their
mining site, three were located in Lanao del Sur and two were in Maguindanao. As of 2012,
eleven companies were inactive and only one company was found active in mining activities
(please refer to Table 1). The DENR-ARMM stated that there were no MPSAs forged with
mining companies from 2011 up to the present.

9
 Table 1. Mining Companies in ARMM with Exploratory Permit (EP) and Mineral Production Sharing
Agreement (MPSA), 2007-2010
Mining Date of Location Area Date of MPSA Coverage With Remarks
Company EP (ha) MPSA and Area approved of MGB
Approval Issuance Covered (ha) ECC issued
on
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)
SR Nov 29, Tawi-Tawi 1,620 Nov 28, Brgys Apr 18, 2011 Active
Languyan 2007 2010 Darussalam,
Mining Adnin &
Corp Tumbagaan,
Languyan; Sapa-
Sapa and
Panglima Sugala –
3,483

FS Borja Dec 27, Tawi-Tawi 8,044 Oct 23, Languyan, July 30, 2008 Inactive
Trading & 2007 2007 Tandubas, Sapa-
Mining Sapa and
Corp Panglima-Sugala
– 8,044

Southern Dec 27, Tawi-Tawi 8,100 Oct 23, Languyan, July 30, 2008 Inactive
Nickel 2007 2007 Bongao &
Corp Tandubas – 8,100

Chan C Dec 27, Tawi-Tawi 8,100 Dec 27, Languyan, Sapa- No ECC Inactive
Mining Inc 2007 2007 Sapa & Panglima issued (as of
Sugala – 8,100 2012) (Note:
company
claims that it
has an
approved
ECC. Refer
to Initial
Research
Report)

Singcara Dec 27, Tawi-Tawi 5,062 Oct 23, Languyan, July 30, 2008 Inactive
Mining & 2007 2007 Bongao &
Devt Corp Tandubas – 5,062

Adnama Dec 27, Tawi-Tawi 8,100 Dec 27, Languyan, No ECC Inactive
Mining 2007 2007 Tandubas & Sapa- issued (as of
Resource Sapa – 8,100 2012)
Inc

Jannaton Dec 27, Tawi-Tawi 810 Dec 27, Brgys Bakaw- No ECC Inactive
M. Ansary 2007 2007 Bakaw & Tuhog- issued (as of
Tuhog, Languyan 2012)
– 810

Al Fajr Dec 27, Tagoloan, 5.022 Inactive

Mining & 2007 Lanao del
Devt Corp Sur

Singcara Dec 27, Tagoloan, 8,100 Inactive

Mining & 2007 Lanao del
Devt Corp Sur

10
 Mining Date of Location Area Date of MPSA Coverage With Remarks
Company EP (ha) MPSA and Area approved of MGB
Approval Issuance Covered (ha) ECC issued
on
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)
(EPA)

Prime Aug 12, Malabang, 20 Inactive

Rock Phils 2009 Lanao del
Inc. Sur
(ISGP)

Muyaman- Dec 05, Datu Blah 20 Inactive

Awang 2008 Sinsuat
Corp (DBS),
(ISGP) Maguindanao

Moro Devt Oct 23, DBS, 6,804 Inactive

Company 2009 Maguindanao
Corp

Source: DENR-ARMM

Meanwhile, from 2013 to 2015, the ARMM Regional Board of Investments registered five
mining companies, the total investments of which amounted to PhP2.66 billion with a job
generation target placed at 2,396 (please refer to Table 2).

While these companies were registered with the ARMM-RBOI, it was announced that the
ARMM has no official policy welcoming or encouraging mining investments in the region
and that these companies were not provided incentives or income tax holiday. It was also
declared that the regional government wants to avail the full rent and revenue generating
potential of investments in the extractive industry. Likewise, the mining investors reportedly
are required to get the full consent and social acceptability of the communities before they are
allowed to operate.

Out of these five companies, only two were issued Exploratory Permit and Mineral
Production Sharing Agreement by DENR-ARMM, namely: SR Languyan Mining
Corporation and Chan C Mining.

The DENR-ARMM validated the information that SR Languyan transferred in part its MPSA
to Altawitawi Nickel Corporation while Pax Libera Mining partnered with Singcara Mining
to use the latter’s MPSA.

Table 2. Mining Companies in ARMM Registered with Regional Board of Investments

Mining Company Commodity Location Amount of Targeted Number
and Date of Investments of Jobs to be
Registration (in million pesos) Generated
Altawitawi Nickel Nickel ore Tumbagaan, Languyan, 707.9 500
Corp / 2013 Tawi-tawi
SR Languyan Nickel ore Brgy Darussalam, 520.0 650
Mining Corp / 2014 Languyan, Tawi-tawi
Darussalam Mining Nickel ore Tumbagaan, Languyan, 192.8 310
Corp / 2014 Tawi-tawi
Pax Libera Mining Nickel ore Brgy. Bakong, 495.4 439
Corp / 2014 Languyan, Tawi-tawi

11
 Mining Company Commodity Location Amount of Targeted Number
and Date of Investments of Jobs to be
Registration (in million pesos) Generated
Chan C Mining / Nickel ore Brgys Karaha and 742.0 497
2015 Dungon, Panglima
Sugala, Tawi-tawi
Total 2,658.1 2,396
Source: ARMM-RBOI

Oil and Gas

Out of 15 energy blocks in the country offered to foreign investors for oil and gas exploration
in 2011, two areas are located in ARMM. These are the so-called Cotabato Basin and
Northwest (NW) Sulu Sea Basin. The Cotabato Basin covers Maguindanao, North Cotabato
and Sultan Kudarat provinces (please refer to Table 3). The Liguasan Marsh is within the
Cotabato Basin wherein the municipality of Sultan sa Barongis in Maguindanao alone
contains 68 billion cubic feet of gas and 117 million barrels of oil.

However, during the last quarter of 2012, President Benigno Aquino III halted the oil and gas
drilling projects that are in ARMM areas. As requested by the MILF, no bidding or contract
awards should be undertaken by the Philippine government until the GPH and the MILF
reach a final agreement on wealth sharing under a peace treaty that would create a new entity
called Bangsamoro to replace the ARMM.

Table 3. Oil and Gas Areas in the ARMM

Energy Block Area Covered (in has.) Estimated
Cotabato Basin 456,000 202 million barrels of oil
Maguindanao (covering 288,000 has of Liguasan Marsh) and at least 821 billion
North Cotabato cubic feet of gas
Sultan Kudarat

Northwest Sulu Sea 432,000 (water depth ranging from 1,500 to 5,000 meters) 209 million barrels of oil
Basin Note: Five wells out of eight have significant oil and gas and 716 billion cubic
feet of gas (from five
wells)

Source: DOE

Companies or contractors that were listed by DOE to have been issued service contracts to
explore within the Sulu Sea are shown in Table 4.

Table 4. List of Philippine Service Contracts located in Sulu Sea

Service Contract No. Name of Contractor Effective Date Expiration Date Acreage (ha)
SC 56 Mitra Energy Ltd 01 Sept 2005 01 Sept 2015 430,000
SC 64 Ranhill Berhad Bhd. 28 Nov 2006 28 Nov 2012 1,264,940
Source: DOE

For detailed discussion on oil and gas areas in ARMM, please refer to section 4.4.

12
Coal

While there are areas in ARMM identified to have coal deposits such as in Lanao del Sur,
Maguindanao and Sulu, the Department of Energy (DOE), which regulates coal mining, has
not included these localities as traditional coal mining sites and there are no coal mining
activities currently being conducted in ARMM. The DOE reported that there are four
traditional coal mining provinces in Mindanao. These are the following: a) Surigao Coal
Region; b) Agusan-Davao Coal Region; c) Zamboanga Coal Region; and d) Cotabato-
Sarangani Coal Region. There are 15 areas within these four coal regions which have been
offered for exploration and development as of May 2014.

The Cotabato-Sarangani Coal Region has a resource potential estimated at 120 million metric
tons. The DOE offered for operation three coal blocks located at Maitum, Saranggani. As of
May 2014, there are four coal operating contracts (COCs) for exploration and three COCs for
development and production. It was reported that the three mining companies granted these
COCs for development and production have been purchased by San Miguel Global Power
Holdings Corp. in 2010. The three mining companies, located in South Cotabato, have
resources capable of supporting a 750-MW facility over the next 25 years (please refer to
Table 5).

Table 5. Existing Coal Operating Contracts in Cotabato-Sarangani Coal Region as of May 2014
Coal Operating Contract No. Name of Company/Contractor
Exploration
COC No. 154 DMC Construction Equipment Resources Inc.
COC No. 170 DELL Equipment & Construction Corp.
COC No. 188 MEGA Philippines, Inc
COC No. 190 Semirara Mining Corp.
Development and Production
COC No. 126 Daguma Agro-Minerals Inc.
COC No. 134 Sultan Energy Phils. Corp
COC No. 138 Bonanza Energy Resources Inc.
Source: DOE

4.0 Case Studies on the Extractive Sector in ARMM

4.1 Mining operations in Tawi-tawi

Tawi-tawi is one of the five provinces comprising the Autonomous Region in Muslim
Mindanao (ARMM). It is composed of 107 islands and islets located at the southwestern tip
of the Philippine archipelago. Having a combined land area of 462 square miles, the province
is comprised of 10 municipalities namely, Balimbing, Bongao, Cagayan de Tawi- Tawi,
Simunul, Sitangkai, South Ubian, Tandubas, Turtle Island, Languyan and Sapa-Sapa, with
10-30 barangays in each municipality.

13
Tawi-tawi’s minerals and oil deposits

Based on key informant interviews, the province is rich in nickel, copper, gold, magnesium,
as well as offshore fossil fuel. The Altawi-tawi Nickel Corporation’s (ANC) Social
Development and Management Program (SDMP) Report (January-May 2015) and SR
Languyan Mining Corporation’s Annual Environment Protection and Enhancement Program
(2012) also reveal that the province has iron, chromite and cobalt deposits, particularly in
Languyan area. Its oil deposit is found in the Turtle Islands as confirmed by Exxon Mobil
Corporation after its exploration in the area in 2010. Oil deposit is also present in the island
municipality of Simunul, particularly in Brgy. Baguid based on an oil exploration conducted
in 2014.

Gold deposits are allegedly found in Baldatal Island, municipality of Sapa-sapa where small
scale miners are reportedly operating in the area. Chinese investors have visited the Sapa-
sapa Mayor’s office in Bongao for possible investments in gold mining. Magnesium deposits
are said to be present in the municipality of Tandubas. The Hikarijay Mining, Inc., a local
mining company owned by a political clan in the municipality of Panglima Sugala initially
operated in the area. However, the operation did not last long and the company pulled out and
went back to nickel mining in Panglima Sugala.

Existing mechanisms related to mining

According to key informants, the DENR-ARMM through its Mines and Geosciences Bureau
(MGB) approves all mining applications in the region. All monitoring reports, including the
Social Development Management Program (SDMP) of mining companies are submitted to
the ARMM Mine Rehabilitation Fund Committee (MRFC) under the Office of the Regional
Governor (ORG) and/or the Regional Secretary. Upon submission of the monitoring report to
the MRFC, the committee will take action especially on possible violations through a
dialogue with the mining company. One specific violation that was recorded in one of the
monitoring reports in Languyan was the substandard (short-sized) tailing ponds. The MRFC
informed the concerned company regarding the violation while the ORG decided on what
sanctions to take for such violation.

The MRFC was created in 2014 through the DENR-ARMM Regional Special Order No. 02
along with the Contingent Liability and Rehabilitation Fund Steering Committee (CLRFSC)
and the Multipartite Monitoring Team (MMT). The said mechanisms were set up to ensure
the compliance of mining companies to its SDMP, Environmental Protection and
Enhancement Plan (EPEP) as well as its Final Mine Rehabilitation and Decommissioning
Plan (FMRDP).

The CLRFC is chaired by the ARMM Regional Governor. Its members are the regional heads
of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic
Resources (BFAR), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Forest Management Bureau
(FMB), Land Management Bureau (LMB) and Environmental Management Bureau (EMB).

On one hand, the MRFC is headed by the Regional Secretary of the DENR with the regional
director of the EMB, provincial and municipal LGUs, and representatives from the MPSA
permit holder, civil society organizations and the religious sector or the Mufti of Tawi-tawi as
its members.

14
Deputized as the monitoring arm of the MRFC, the MMT in Tawi-tawi is headed by the
Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO), with the City Environment
and Natural Resources Officer (CENRO) of Bongao as its deputy head. The members of the
MMT are, as follows: representatives from the EMB-ARMM, SR Languyan Mining
Company, Darussalam Mining Corporation/ANC, LGUs, CSOs, Indigenous Cultural
Communities (ICC), academe and religious groups, and the chairpersons of the Barangay
LGUs where the mining companies operate.

The ARMM Regional Government also created the Performance Evaluation Task Group
(PETG) which looks at the financial side of mining operations in the ARMM. The group is
chaired by Atty. Randolf “Bong” Parcasio.

4.1.1 Mining in Panglima Sugala

Mining companies operating in Panglima Sugala

The first mining company to operate in the island municipality of Panglima Sugala was
Southern Nickel Corporation (SNC). The SNC started its exploration for nickel deposits a
few years back. However, it stopped its operations due to low quality as well as quantity of
nickel deposits in the area.

In 2012, the Chan C Mining Corporation (Chan C) started its nickel exploration in Barangay
Dungon and Barangay Karaha in partnership with Hikarijay Mining Company. Both
companies signed a Deed of Assignment for the said venture. It holds a Mineral Production
Sharing Agreement (MPSA) issued by DENR-ARMM issued on 27 December 2007. The
said MPSA will expire on 26 December 2032. By 2013, Chan C had started to extract and
pile nickel ores in its stockyard. However, the operation of Chan C was temporarily stopped
due to a petition led by the Chancellor of the Mindanao State University-Tawi-Tawi campus,
Dr. Lorenzo Reyes, whose hometown is in Brgy. Buan. The company decided to pull out its
equipment in early 2015 allegedly due to low quality and quantity of nickel deposits in the
area.

When Chan C pulled out, Sands Mining, a subsidiary of Wellex Mining Corporation owned
by the Gatchalians came in. It partnered with the same local company, the Hikarijay, and
operated in Sitio Bija, also in Barangay Buan. Without its own mining permit, Hikarijay had
an agreement with the Chan C that the former can mine 50 hectares of Chan C’s 8,100-
hectare MPSA. At present, Sands Mining is still in the process of piling nickel ores in its
stock yard, waiting for the green light from the geologists to say that the nickel ore is of good
quality.

Listed below are the details of the mining companies that have operated in Panglima Sugala
and their specific areas of operations.

Table 6. List of Mining Companies that Operate in Panglima Sugala, Tawi-Tawi

Name of Mining Years of Permit Specific areas of Proponent/
Company exploration/ operation Owner
operation
1. Southern Key informants MPSA-003-ARMM-07 Antonio L. Co,
Nickel were unable to Oct. 23, 2007- Oct. 22, President
Corporation provide data 2032

15
 Name of Mining Years of Permit Specific areas of Proponent/
Company exploration/ operation Owner
operation

2. Chan C 2012-2014 MPSA-003-ARMM-07 Brgy. Dungon, Antonio L. Co,

Mining Dec. 27,2007- Dec. 26, Buan and Karaha President
Corporation 2032
3. Sands Mining 2015-present None; Sands Mining Brgy. Buan Josun Lim,
allegedly has an internal President
agreement with Hikarijay
Mining, Inc.
4. Hikarijay 2012-present None; Hikarijay has an Brgy. Buan Edmir
Mining, Inc. internal agreement with Saddaramil,
Chan C. President

Contribution to local employment generation and economic development

The number of local workers employed by the mining companies varies depending on the
source. One of the key informants claimed that Sands Mining has 60 local people hired as
security personnel. It is also hiring 27 more workers who would be tasked as samplers.
According to another source, the company has hired around 27-40 locals as driver, checker
and sampler.

Moreover, the hiring of high ranking personnel especially on the managerial and supervisory
level, are exclusively provided by the mining company itself. The hiring of work force
coming from the barangay are limited to low level positions such as sampler, drivers,
checkers and laborers. All other supervisory and managerial level positions are hired by the
company from Surigao and Agusan provinces.

Community gains from SDMP

The Social Development Management Program or SDMP is the comprehensive five-year

plan of the mining company which aims to improve the living standards of the host and
neighboring communities through implementing and managing community development
programs, projects, and activities in a manner consistent with the principle of people
empowerment thereby creating responsible, self-reliant and resource-based communities
capable of developing. The SDMP’s budget should be 1.5% of the mining company’s annual
operating expenditure.

Affected communities could hardly feel the socio-economic benefits of mining since the
companies have just started its operations. This is compounded by the lack of SDMP which
could have helped uplift the living conditions of these communities. On the part of Chan C
Mining Corporation, its officials are claiming that the company has somehow helped in
building access roads.

Issues and challenges confronting mining-affected communities

Non-involvement of BLGU in mining-related processes. The BLGU of Brgy. Buan where

Sands Mining and Hikarijay Mining Inc. are currently operating is not directly involved in
any process related to the mining operations in their area. Sands Mining directly engages the

16
MLGU without paying courtesy or informing the BLGU about the mining operations in their
area. Thus, the BLGU could hardly monitor the mining activities within its jurisdiction. This
is in contrast to Chan C Mining Corporation’s operations which involved the BLGU in its
decision making processes.

Non-payment of mine workers for six months. Chan C Mining Corporation allegedly spent
around 200 million pesos, yet, it was not able to ship nickel ore due to its low quality. As a
result, the company failed to pay its workers for six months before it decided to stop its
operations and pulled out from the area. Due to community pressure, Chan C was forced to
pay the workers on staggered basis or by batch per department or division.

Lot owners were left unpaid. There was a verbal agreement with Chan C Mining to pay lot
owners stock yard rental, road right of way and other fees after the extracted nickel ores are
shipped out. Since Chan C did not make any shipment and eventually pulled out from the
area, these lot owners have not received any such payment. However, according to one of the
key informants, the Gatchalians who own Sands Mining had given P150 million pesos to the
municipal government to pay the lot owners who did not receive any such payment.

Employing workers from outside of the mining community. Based on the agreement with the
company, the BLGU has required the mining company to prioritize local residents for
employment. Instead of bringing in people from the provinces of Surigao and Agusan, and
from as far as Manila and Visayas, the company should hire local people for both rank and
file and high level positions, especially when someone from the community is qualified for
the job. This agreement was not strictly followed by the company.

Long-term effects of mining activities on the environment and marine life. The island
Barangay of Buan where Sands Mining and Hikarijay Mining, Inc. currently operate is a
sanctuary of different kinds of marine species such as prawns, sea mantis and other precious
sea creatures. As the community relied heavily on fishing and seaweeds farming as their
major source of livelihood, they felt threatened by the continuing mining operations in the
area. The dust from nickel ore might in the long run reach the seashore and cover the corals
and other marine species. The barangay is also known for its abundant sources of clean
drinking water from natural springs. With the unabated clearing of forest cover for nickel
mining, water supply might eventually run dry.

Mining companies operating without SDMP/CDP. Both Sands Mining and Hikarijay have
not implemented its SDMP as required by law. Thus, the MLGU has required them to
conduct community consultations to determine the needs and priorities of affected
communities.

Detrimental effects of mining on the environment. The municipal Mayor is aware of the
detrimental effects of mining. She mentioned about the Tumbagaan Island in Languyan
which will possibly sink in the years to come due to massive mining activities. But she also
noted that it is helpful for the LGUs to extract its minerals since the land is barren for the
development of the area and for the people’s benefits in terms of social services that mining
companies could offer. She further added that the MLGU is only collecting the occupational
fees paid for by the mining company which is a very small amount.

17
 4.1.2 Mining operations in Languyan

Mining companies operating in Languyan

The Sadic Raquel (SR) Languyan Mining Corporation started its exploration in the island
municipality of Languyan in 2011. The company is owned by the municipal mayor. By 2012,
company operations were in full swing and shipping of nickel ore to China started in April
2013. It shipped tons of nickel ore for about two years before it stopped its operations in 2015
after all the nickel deposits in the area have been extracted.

SR Languyan’s operations are mainly in Tumbagaan Island. Of the approved 400-hectare

mining area, 105 hectares contain nickel deposits. According to key informants, the island is
barely inhabited. Before the mining activities started, there were around 10 houses in the
area. Most of the land owners are residing in Sabah, Malaysia with no formal land titles in
their possession.

In 2014 SR Languyan partnered with the Altawi-tawi Nickel Corporation (ANC) by signing
the Deed of Assignment which allowed ANC to mine the areas within the MPSA of SR
Languyan. The ANC continued mining SR’s areas in Tumbagaan Island, particularly in
Adnin since September 2014.

Based on SR languyan’s EPEP and ANC’s SDMP, the mining area in the island of
Tumbagaan contains cobalt and chromite deposits aside from nickel. Accordingly, the SR
Languyan has invested an estimated amount of PhP432 million, PhP16 million of which was
spent for the first two years of exploration activities. With this, SR Languyan and ANC are
expected to mine an average of 830,600 wet metric tons (WMT) of laterite ore per year which
translates to around 4,000 WMT per day.

As of July 2016, SR Languyan and ANC have been waiting for the shipment of at least 16
vessels equivalent to 80,000 dump trucks (1 vessel = 50 barges; 1 barge= 100 dump trucks)
of nickel ore. Since nickel deposits in Tumbagaan Island have already been extracted, SR
Languyan will be closing its operations and will transfer to other areas within the
municipality of Languyan.

Sands Mining, which is currently operating in Panglima Sugal is also present in Languyan in
partnership with Pax Libera, Inc. which is owned by former DENR secretary Mike Defensor.
Another company, Singcara Mining, also tried to explore in Languyan but it did not push
through due to difficulty in complying with the requirements of DENR-ARMM. Based on
key informants’ accounts, Singcara Mining signed a Mines Operating Agreement with Pax
Libera, allowing the latter to use its MPSA. In partnership with SR Languyan, Pax Libera
started its operations in 2014 in Tumbagaan Island and in Brgy. Bakung.

Listed below are the details of mining companies currently operating in Languyan.

Table 7. List of Mining Companies operating in Languyan, Tawi,Tawi

Name of Mining Years of Permit Specific areas Proponent/
Company exploration/ of operation Owner
operation
1. SR Languyan 2011 to MPSA-004-ARMM-07 Tumbagaan Sadic I. Sali
Mining Corporation present Nov. 28, 2010-Nov. 27, 2035 Island President

18
2. Altawi-tawi 2014 to None. Has an internal Tumbagaan Michael Chen
Nickel Corporation present agreement with SR Languyan Island President and
CEO

3. Pax Libera, Inc. 2014 to None. Has an internal Brgy. Bakung Mike Defensor
present agreement with Singcara CEO and
President
4. Sands Mining None. Has an internal Brgy. Bakung Gatchalian
agreement with Pax Libera, clan
Inc.

Profile of Tumbagaan Island

Mining companies in Languyan mainly operate in the island of Tumbagaan. Composed of

two barangays, Tumbagaan and Adnin, the whole island has a total land area of 35,220
hectares. Of this area, only 405 hectares is mined based on ANC’s SDMP (2015). As of 2007,
the two barangays have a combined population of 273, none having reached college
education and around 50-56% have finished elementary and high school education. The
residents’ main sources of living are fishing and farming. There are no sources of electricity
and potable water, only lagoon and shallow wells.

Contribution to local employment generation and economic development

The mining companies have employed around 700 people in its Tumbagaan Island operations
and 980 in its operations in Barangay Bakung. Eighty percent of these workers come from
within the municipality. According to the ANC website, the company has employed a total of
1,000 workers which include contractors and sub-contractors, majority of whom are from
Languyan. Pax Libera also provides skills training to interested community members,
particularly on heavy equipment operation.

Community gains from SDMP

Based on the SDMP Report (Jan-May 2015) of ANC, the company allotted 1.5% of its direct
mining and operational costs which amounted to PhP1,758,711.55. The SR Languyan claims
to provide royalty fees amounting to PM1.2-1.5 per month and this is coursed through and
managed by the Sali Nudjang Foundation. The said amount is spent on the following social
services: a) construction of water systems (pumps and pipes to bring mountain spring water
to households); b) clinics and school buildings; c) provision of medical personnel, school
supplies and allowances to volunteer teachers; d) installation of 200 units of solar street lights
in highways; e) renovation of Masjids in Barangays Bakung and Tumbagaan; f) sending more
than 200 people (from Languyan and other municipalities) to Haj every year; g) housing
program for the homeless; h) distribution of motorized bancas to fisherfolks; i) livelihood
program for the elderly; j) road maintenance and k) cash or in-kind gifts and prizes during the
Muslim New Year celebration.

Another benefit to host communities, particularly the landowners, is the royalty payment they
have received from mining companies. Key informants did not disclose the exact amount,
noting that the details are in the monitoring report. One informant further shared his
observation on how the once barren Tumbagaan island has been transformed as it is now
planted with cash crops, rubber and narra trees.

19
Another benefit to host communities, particularly the landowners, is the royalty payment they
receive from mining companies. Key informants did not disclose the exact amount, noting
that the details are in the monitoring report. One informant further shared his observation on
how the once barren Tumbagaan island has been transformed as it is now planted with cash
crops, rubber and narra trees.

However, a number of key informants also noted that the benefits received by host
communities are not enough. There is a growing clamor for mining companies to disclose
their actual earnings knowing that 1.5 percent of the income should go to affected
communities based on the agreement. Furthermore, monetary benefits cannot compensate for
the long-term environmental destruction that mining operations can cause.

Issues and challenges confronting mining-affected communities

The major issues and challenges with regards to the mining operations in Languyan mainly
pertain to the operations of Pax Libera, Inc. in Brgy. Bakung.

Operating without an SDMP. It was found out by the Multipartite Monitoring Team (MMT)
in its monitoring visits that the company started its operations in Languyan without
submitting its SDMP. It only continued the initiatives of the previous mining company
operating in the area such as construction of masjids, water pumps and classrooms; provision
of financial support to five teachers and generator sets for the community’s power needs.
Thus, the MMT recommended for Pax Libera to have a consultation with the affected
community to determine its needs. This resulted in the creation of a Technical Working
Group (TWG) by the company, composed of representatives from the MLGU, BLGU and
CSOs. The TWG is primarily tasked to conduct consultations with the affected community
and draft the company’s SDMP.

Delayed salary of mine workers. Another issue confronting Pax Libera is delayed salary
payments to its personnel in December 2015 due to very low price of nickel in the world
market.

Cease and Desist Order. Pax Libera, Inc. is also charged with illegal operations since a Cease
and Desist Order was issued by MGB-ARMM issued in 2014 for loading its nickel ore
without an approved permit from DENR-ARMM.

4.2 Quarrying in Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao

Commercial quarrying of sand and gravel is widely believed to be rampant in Maguindanao.

Quarrying activities are observed in Brgy. Simuay, Sultan Kudarat; Datu Paglas; Sultan
Mastura; and Brgy. Talisawa, Datu Abdullah Sangki (DAS). Quarrying is currently
undertaken by four concessionaires in Datu Paglas while concessionaires in DAS did not
renew their permits this year.

20
Table 8. Sand and Gravel Fees Collected in 2015
Provincial Quarterly
Month Monthly Collection Quarterly Collection
Collection
January 50,586.00
February 39,484.80 134,124.30 27,997,851.88
March 44,053.50
April 39,629.50
May 17,038.50 108,287.10 13,797,130.23
June 51,619.10
July 61,492.50
August 62,609.50 144,309.00 23,276,225.58
September 20,207.00
October 33,747.00
November 83,734.00 172,067.40 1,503,974.14
December 54,586.40
Total 558,787.80 66,575,181.83
Source: Provincial Treasurer’s Office of Maguindanao

It is also revealed that sand and gravel operation in Sultan Kudarat, Sultan Mastura, Datu
Paglas and DAS contributed to PhP 558,787.80 or 0.84 percent in 2015 Provincial collection
from permits, fees and taxes. The said collection is the 30 percent share to the PhP10.00 cost
of every cubic of sand and gravel collected from the river bed to the river bank. Based on
Table 8, the highest collection is in the month of November with PhP83,734.00 and the
lowest is in May with only PhP17,038.50.

As stipulated in the Revenue Code of the Provincial Government of Maguindanao, Article E

Section 103 on Tax on Sand, Gravel and other Quarry Products, the Provincial Governor has
the exclusive authority to issue permit to extract sand, gravel and other quarry products. This
imposition pursuant to the ordinance of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan is adopted from
Republic Act 7942.

Based on the records of the Provincial Treasurer’s Office of Maguindanao, there are eight (8)
operating concessionaires in Simuay, Sultan Kudarat. They are, as follows:

21
 1. Saqqaf S. Maik (Mega Sand and Gravel)
2. H. Salik Maon (H. Salik Concessionnaires)
3. Anso A. Todto (Anso Sand and Gravel)
4. Ibrahim K. Ibrahim (IKI Construction Aggregates Supply – ICAS)
5. Marissa Dayrit Mato (Diamond Aggregates Concessionaire)
6. Omar Sablani
7. Juhari Abu (Tunao Sand and Gravel)
8. Abdulsamad S. Mokamad

It was declared by the former head of the Business Licensing Office of Sultan Kudarat
Municipality that the concession permit issued by the province covers only the extraction of
sand and gravel and other quarry materials from the river bed to the river bank. The sand and
gravel from the river bank to consumers, manufacturers of hollow blocks and other domestic
areas is already covered by the municipal imposition. This would mean another set of
business permits to process.

Based on the list of business establishments in Sultan Kudarat Municipality as of May 2016,
out of 184 businesses, 18 are registered with direct connection to sand and gravel operations
in Simuay. They are categorized as: a) dealer of construction materials (sand and gravel
included); b) manufacturer and dealer of concrete hollow blocks (CHB); c) hauler of
construction materials; d) hardware with construction materials; or e) combination of the
enumerated businesses. They reported a total of 45 workers with no sex disaggregation.

Big operator using heavy equipment in its quarrying activities Small operator manually quarrying sand with banca
and shovel

Table 9. List of Registered Quarrying Companies operating in Simuay

Name of Owner Name of Business Establishment No. of
Employees
Hauling Services
1) Abdulsamad S. Mokamad ASM CHB Sand and Gravel (Hauler) 3
Sand and Gravel with CHB Dealer and Trucking Service
2) Mato S. Allian 3M Stone Built 2
3) Abdulsamad S. Mokamad ASM CHB Sand and Gravel Dealer 3
4) Aileen L. Tan Bau Build Construction Supply & Trucking Services 2
5) H. Salik Maon H. Salik Concessionaires 2
6) Heidi Alonzo Jao Haj Sand & Gravel and Trucking Services 1
7) Hussein M. Ibrahim JMI Sand & Gravel and Truck Services 3
8) Saqqaf S. Maik Mega Sand and Gravel Dealer 2
9) Johari C. Abu Tunao Sand and Gravel 5
10) Ibrahim K. Ibrahim ICAS 4

22
 Name of Owner Name of Business Establishment No. of
Employees
CHB Manufacturer and Hauling
11) Faisal A. Tayuan Fainor CHB Factory 1
12) Anwar K. Mero Norjoelleha Hollow Block Factory 2
13) H.Sittie Aisha S. Sandigan Parrot CHB Builders 2
14) Maimona A. Buisan Princess Z-J CHB and Truck Hauling 2
15) Sadat G. Kamdan Sadat Hollow Block Factory 2
Hardware (sand and gravel and CHB included)
16)Abdulgani S. Datilan ASD Concrete Products Enterprises 4
17)Alibai Abad Karim Azizah Hardware & construction supplies 3
18) Malik A. Saludsong Ionstart hardware and construction supply 2
Total 45
Source: Sultan Kudarat Licensing Office Record, May 2016

Apart from the 18 registered companies, there are other operators in the quarrying sector
which the Provincial Treasurer’s Office considers as “attached business.” This includes
hauling services and manufacturing of concrete hollow blocks which buys sand and gravel
from concessionaires. These small businesses have no permits to operate and would often
issue the delivery receipts of registered concessionaires.

Local communities believe that once upon a time a volcano erupted, spewing millions of tons
of lahar and sand which drained and silted the Simuay River. This resulted in high quality
sand rated Class A as it is drained by rainwater. Local residents, LGUs and businessmen
consider this a ridzki or ‘blessing from above.’ Simuay sand is highly in demand and is
transported as far as North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat in mainland Mindanao, and in the
construction of the Basilan and Lamitan circumferential road and other infrastructures in the
island provinces of ARMM under the Hataman administration.

Simuay sand to be transported from Polloc Port

As years passed by, the number of concessionaires, registered business establishments

dependent on quarry products and the “attached businesses” continue to grow in Barangay
Crossing Simuay. Hollow block factories and dealers of sand and gravel have mushroomed
and can be found in both sides of the road near the Simuay Bridge in going to the
municipality of Parang.

Key informants also shared that Simuay sand is being transported to other countries such as
Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore. In May 2016, Chinese nationals have secured a permit from
DENR-ARMM to transport sand sample of about 30 kilos. It was later disapproved since
DAO 08 of 2005 states that the sample size should be limited to 4-5 kilos.

23
Income of LGUs from quarrying

The tax rate for sand and gravel concession in Simuay is PhP10 per cubic meter. In one report
provided by the Provincial Treasurer’s Office in April 2016, total volume of sand and gravel
has reached 8,785 cu m which amounts to PhP87,850.00. The barangay share amounts to PhP
35,140 or 40 percent of total tax payments. The municipal and provincial LGUs get 30
percent each, amounting to PhP23,130.00 (please refer to Table 10). With this average
monthly income, sand and gravel generates a total of PhP1,054,200.00 annually.

The concession fees and charges as stipulated in Section 104 of Article E of the Provincial
Revenue Code states that for industrial category the permit fee is PhP1,000; PhP100 for
filing fee and PhP200 for processing fee. With eight concessionaires the province earns a
total of PhP10,400.00. The MLGU of Sultan Kudarat also earns from business permits for
hauling services, hollow block manufacturing, selling of hardware and construction materials.

24
Table 10. Consolidated Report on Income from Sand and Gravel Extraction in Simuay River for the Month of April 2016

No. of Pad Cu. Mtr Cu. Mtr Amount (Peso) Total 40% 30% 30%
Concessionaires
Issued/Used Sand Gravel Sand Gravel Sand/Gravel Barangay Municipal Provincial
Anso Todto 3 pads 345 10 3,450.00 100.00 3,550.00 1,420.00 1,065.00 1,065.00
H. Salik Maon 6 pads 1,075 10,750.00 10,750.00 4,300.00 3.225.00 3.225.00
Saqqaf Maik 36 pads 4,905 398 49,050.00 3,980.00 53,030.00 21,212.00 15,909.00 15,909.00
Omar Sablani 1 pad 156 20 1,560.00 200.00 1,760.00 704.00 528.00 528.00
Johari Abu
A. Mokamad
ICAS 3 pads 616 375 6,160.00 3,750.00 9,910.00 3,964.00 2,973.00 2,973.00
Marissa D. Mato 2 pad 490 395 4,900.00 3,950.00 8,850.00 3,540.00 2,655.00 2,655.00

Total 7,587 1,198 75,870.00 11,980.00 87,850.00 35,140.00 23,130.00 23,130.00

Source: Provincial Treasurer’s Office of Maguindanao

As shared by some “attached business operators” (i.e. CHB manufacturer and dealer of sand and gravel), they spend around PhP340 per load
equivalent to 3 cubic meters of sand and gravel. The details are shown in Table 11.

Table 11. Schedule of Fees Paid for Sand and Gravel by Non-Concessionaires
Items to be Paid Fees (PhP) Whom to Pay
3 cubic meter sand and gravel or 1 load 200.00 Concessionaire

Loading fee/3 cubic meter 120.00 Loader

Road right or Sagad fee/load 5/stations from river bank or
20 since there are 4 stations
Road right or Sagad fee/6 cubic meter 10/stations from river bank or
Land owners where truck passes by
40 since there are 4 stations
Road right or Sagad fee/ ten-wheeler truck 20/stations from river bank or
80 since there are 4 stations
Source: Hollow block manufacturer and dealer of sand and gravel in Barangay Simuay

25
The barangay government has a share of 40 percent from the taxes imposed to the
concessionaires. Based on the April 2016 report of the Province, the barangay has a share of
PhP 35,140.00. This is paid by the concessionaires to the municipal treasury of Sultan Kudarat
along with the municipal share. The Local Treasury Operations Assistant (LTOA), Khadafy S.
Maulana, noted that they are merely collecting the provincial share based on the delivery receipts
submitted by outgoing trucks of the concessionaires.

Economic benefits to the community

The registered local businesses currently employ 45 workers who are all residents of Sultan
Kudarat, majority of whom are from Barangay Simuay. These listed businesses are required by
the municipal government to provide their workers with social benefits such as PhilHealth, SSS
and Pag-IBIG.

Children participate in sand A mother washes clothes while her Children play while bathing
quarrying son bathes in the river

Issues and challenges

1. Understated volume of sand and gravel collected from Simuay River

Mr. Khadafy S. Maulana, the LTOA shared that the province established three sub-
offices stationed in strategic areas where the hauling trucks are exiting to ensure that they
could collect the delivery receipts issued to the concessionaires. These offices are open
from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm during week days, and are closed during holidays and
weekends. However, sand and gravel business observes no holidays and operates even on
weekends. Hauling operations start way earlier than 8:00 am and can extend beyond 5:00
pm.

2. Proliferation of “attached businesses”

Only 18 businesses related to Simuay sand and gravel are registered with the LGU of
Sultan Kudarat. More than 100 establishments are considered “attached business
operators” with no permits to operate. These comprise the dealers of sand and gravel;

26
 haulers of quarry materials and CHB; manufacturers of CHB in Brgy. Simuay and other
neighboring barangays. The workers of these businesses do not have social benefits that
are enjoyed by the workers of legal establishments. They are given wages below
minimum or percentage share based on income. These workers do not pay income taxes.

3. Politics
There is confusion and misunderstanding on the required concession permits being issued
by the province vis-à-vis other business permits being issued by Sultan Kudarat LGU.
Despite repeated consultations with business operators, some concessionaires choose to
secure only one of the required business permits. It has been emphasized by the licensing
office of Sultan Kudarat that the concession being issued is only limited to the extraction
of quarry materials from the river bed to the bank. The loading of sand and gravel from
the river bank requires another business permit. In the same manner, the hauling of sand
gravel requires another business permit along with manufacturing of CHB and its
transport and delivery to other areas. Based on the records of Sultan Kudarat LGU, three
concessionaires currently do not have business permits for 2016. In most cases they
would argue that they have been given clearance to operate by the provincial LGU. Why
would the municipal government require them to get another business permit?

Furthermore, it has been observed that the Mayor’s permit is not compulsory in the
granting of concession permits. On the part of the LGUs, they expect to be furnished a
copy of the list of concessionaires that were given the Governor’s permit to operate.
However, the provincial LGU expects the municipal LGU to do its share since it is nearer
the quarry site and has better knowledge of the operations. Some of the monthly reports
do not have the municipal LGU’s signature.

The Provincial Treasurer’s Office (PTO) has a similar experience in other quarry sites.
Local business establishments would not want to secure a business permit from the PTO
once they have been issued the Mayor’s permit.

Mr. Manuel Amador B. Kapin, technical staff of the DENR-ARMM Secretary, further
noted that in some instances foreign nationals and big businessmen would show them the
endorsements from local executives as basis for the issuance of permits despite the lack
of supporting documents.

4. Absence of Provincial Mining and Regulatory Board

While Article E of the Provincial Revenue Code stipulates for strict regulation of quarry
operations, monitoring and evaluation activities are not conducted since the Provincial
Mining and Regulatory Board (PMRB) is not functional. In responding to the issues
raised on the operations in Brgy. Simuay, it is essentially a question of “who is
responsible to do what?” Key informants are quite hopeful that the PMRB would soon be
functional or, at the very least, a monitoring and evaluation body duly represented by the
provincial and municipal LGUs be organized.

5. Degradation of Simuay River

27
 The Simuay River has changed so much since commercial quarrying started in the early
1980’s. The river has widened to such extent that its size is now comparable to Rio
Grande de Mindanao. Trees and vegetation were once abundant on both sides of the river
which was deep enough for anyone to jump into from the approach of Simuay Bridge.
Too much extraction over the years has resulted in loss of vegetation which is now
replaced with sand and gravel. Jumping into the river nowadays is extremely dangerous
and can be fatal.

4.3 Mining exploration in IP ancestral lands within the Bangsamoro

Background

The ARMM has the smallest non-Islamized indigenous population in Mindanao. The region is
predominantly populated by several Muslim groups. With a total population of 117,189 2, the
non-Islamized tribal peoples in ARMM contitute 3.4 percent of the region’s total population
estimated at 3,314,000 in 2013.

In the 2013 survey undertaken by IPDEV, 21 non-Islamized tribal groups were identified in
mainland ARMM. Among them, three are of significance in terms of population. (See Table 12,
Non-Islamized Indigenous Peoples Population in Mainland ARMM 3.) These are the Teduray,
Lambangian and Dulangan Manobo groups. The remaining 18 of the 21 are indigenous groups
with concentrations outside of the Muslim region in Mindanao as well as in Luzon. (See Table
12 below.) 4

Table 12. List of 80 Barangays (12 Municipalities) in Mainland ARMM with sizable IP populations

Municipality No. Barangay Name

01 Kauran
02 Salman
Ampatuan 03 Saniag
04 Tomicor
05 Tubak
Datu Abdullah Sangki 06 Talisawa
07 Kinimi
08 Lapaken
09 Matuber
10 Nalkan
11 Penansaran
Datu Blah Sinsuat 12 Pura
13 Resa
14 Sedem
15 Sinipak
16 Tambak
17 Tubuan
18 Apas

2
Based on the 2013 survey among 80 barangays of the twelve municipalities in mainland ARMM provinces of Maguindanao and
Lanao del Sur. The other three provinces of the region are in the Sulu archipelago in the south westernmost part of the country,
namely Basilan, Sulu and Tawitawi. The Indigenous Peoples of Mainland ARMM, IPDEV, 2014, p. 7.
3
Ibid, p.8.
4
Ibid, pp. 40-41.

28
 Municipality No. Barangay Name

19 Limpongo
20 Mantao
Datu Hofer Ampatuan 21 Sayap
22 Taib
23 Talibadok
24 Tuayan
25 Awang
26 Badak
27 Bugawas
28 Kinebeka
29 Kusiong
30 Labungan
Datu Odin Sinsuat 31 Linek
32 Mompong
33 Sibuto
34 Sifaran
35 Tapian
36 Tenonggos
Datu Saudi Ampatuan 37 Kabingi
Datu Unsay 38 Maitumaig
Guindulungan 39 Ahan
South Upi 40 Bongo
41 Biarong
42 Itaw|
43 Lamud
44 Kigan
45 Kuya
46 Looy
47 Pandan
48 Pilar
49 Romonggaob
50 SanJose
Talayan 51 Boboguiron
52 Fugotan
53 Fukol
54 Bantek
55 Bayabas
56 Blensong
57 Borongotan
58 Bugabungan
59 Bungcog
60 Kiga
61 Darugao
62 Ganasi
63 Kabakaba
64 Kibleg
Upi
65 Kibukay
66 Kinitaan
67 Mirab
68 Nangi
69 Nuro
70 Ranao Pilayan
71 Rempes
72 Renede
73 Renti
74 Rifao

29
 Municipality No. Barangay Name

75 Tinungkaan
76 Sefegefen
77 Bu-ot
Wao 78 Christian Village
79 Gata
80 Milaya

Two of the three groups, the Teduray and the Lambangian, are concentrated in the Fakal
Mountain Range called by some writers as the Teduray Highlands that rimmed the southern
portion of the province of Maguindanao. They are in the towns of Upi, South Upi and Datu Blah
Sinsuat, The bigger portion of the third group, the Dulangan Manobo, are in the adjoining peaks
of the Daguma Mountain Range mainly clustered in the town of Ampatuan.

Although culturally distinct from one another, the three groups are genetically linked since the
Lambangian is said to be borne out of the intermarriages among the Tedurays and the Dulangan
Manobos. Territorial and physical proximity all the more bound them to one another through
political and trading alliances as well as in having common myths, legends and beliefs passed on
from one generation to the next. While each has a language distinct from the other two, they all
share common words with trivial differences only in nuances in pronunciation.

The most distinct commonality among the three is their trade relations with the Islamized
indigenous group in the area, the Maguindanao, since time immemorial. Subsequently, such
economic relations led to their political subjugation under the sultanate of Maguindanao with its
formal establishment during the reign of Sultan Kudarat. The Teduray is believed to have
kinship relations with the Maguindanao, with common lineage through the brothers Mamalu and
Tabunaway, with one becoming Islamized and the other remaining animist with the coming of
Sharif Kabungsuan.

There had been reports of mining activities in the town of Upi and Datu Blah Sinsuat (DBS) in
Maguindanao since 2014. The Regional Physical Framework Plan 2000-2030 has included in its
list of Reported Mineral Deposits in ARMM (metallic and non-metallic) the town of Upi, with
deposits of metallic gold, iron, copper and zinc, and non-metallic limestone. Despite such
confirmed deposits, there have been no recorded explorations of these mineral resources.

The Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) for its part also listed Upi with mineral deposits
of gold, silver and copper in a Powerpoint presentation made in 2014. Apparently, the listing was
also done without any confirmation through explorations of such reported deposits. Both initial
scoping did not report any mining activities conducted in Upi. Much earlier, there had been talks
among locals about the presence of gold deposits in the area, as ‘evident’ of the golden sand dust
on the ground that runs along rivers and creeks in the area. The land’s rusty red color in some
areas is readily interpreted by the locals to contain rich iron mineral deposits.

30
Initial mining exploration

Two years ago, particularly on April 23, 2014, a civilian helicopter (known to residents of the
Teduray Highlands as belonging to Governor Toto Mangudadatu of Maguindanao), landed at the
rice field owned by Orting Pablo in Kansar Gadung, and later on the ground near the house of
Rogelio “Boy” Indong in Sitio Lahangkeb, Barangay Rempes, Upi, Maguindanao. Leaders of
peoples’ organizations in the highlands had no prior knowledge of the said activity that
subsequently led to the following:

1. July 10, 2014, aerial survey around the highlands with the use of the same helicopter;
2. July 20, 2014, initial digging around the vicinity of Indong’s house and hauling of the
soil collected with the use of a horse by a resident in the locality;
3. July 21, 2014, arrival of three (3) engineers allegedly from Green Process, Inc. At
around five o’clock in the afternoon of the same day, security personnel headed by a Lt.
Baylon arrived at the house of Indong to secure the said engineers;
4. July 21 onwards, deeper digging up of bigger holes for more soil samples around the
perimeter area of Kansar Gadung. A total of fifteen holes were dug up, each 1 sq. ft. in
width and 12 feet deep. The soil samples gathered of about one cubic foot in size
reportedly weighed one kilo. The samples were airlifted by the helicopter;
5. July 26, another aerial survey was undertaken with the same chopper at Sitio Bulawan,
Ranao, Pilayan, Upi. Two choppers were used in hauling the equipment which are now
kept in Indong’s house along with the personnel involved in the operation.

The next day, July 27, the Teduray, Lambangian and Dulangan Manobo Ancestral Domains
Claimants (TLADMADC) brought to the Mayor’s attention the sampling activities undertaken
without community consultation or permit issued by the barangay LGUs. The persons involved
were identified to include LGU officials (DBS Mayor Datu Marshall “Toto” Sinsuat, Rogelio
“Boy” Indong, Sahid “Ungkar” Paco and Waheda Ulalisan); Green Process, Inc. personnel
(Alexie Alvin C de Leon, Angelo ‘Ting’ Cabaron and Jimmy Trapal); and security personnel led
by Kamad Ulalison and Lt. Baylon along with six CAFGU paramilitary troopers.

The TLADMADC expressed their fears and apprehensions that landslides and flash floods
brought about by mining activities would not only destroy their communities but would also lead
to contamination of their water resources. The barangays that would highly be affected by
mining operations are the following: Barangays Rempes, Bantek, Renti, Ranao Pilayan and
Rifao of Upi; and the coastal barangays of Tubuan, Nalkan, Tambak and Kinimi in DBS.
Numerous creeks and rivers such as Tubuan, Mara, Bidek Mara, Dumlem and Kinimi would
likewise be affected.

The Timuay-Labi, Sannie Bello, also sought an audience with the mayor who did not deny the
ongoing exploration for nickel deposits in Upi. However, he did not inform Bello of the PhP50M
given by Gov. Mangudadatu for road construction that would connnect Upi with DBS through
Tubuan River.

31
Meanwhile, opposition to mining as expressed by TLADMADC seemed to have put on hold the
exploration activities in Upi. However, the road construction project is now construed by CSO
leaders as preparatory for mining ventures in the near future. In an interview with the mayor, he
clarified that the road would be used for quarrying of limestones from the river. He further noted
that the limestones would be used to build infrastructures only within Upi. However,
TLADMADC leader Timuay Alim Bandara, strongly believes that quarrying would not be
profitable enough for the LGU to allocate PhP50M for road construction.

Two years ago in 2014, while exploration activities were ongoing in Upi, DBS barangay officials
from the coastal barangays of Tubuan, Nalkan, Pura and Matober, as well as upland barangays
Dasa, Sinagsak and Lapakan, were called for a meeting. They were given a lecture on the
benefits of mining in the area--free scholarships for deserving Teduray students; job
opportunities for DBS residents; free schools and hospitals, and concrete houses for residents. 5

However, most barangay officials who attended the meeting were wary of the potential bad
effects of mining in their areas. They have seen early on how the road construction along the
coastline from Brgy. Matuber to Pura and Tapian had caused siltation of their municipal fishing
grounds near the Moro Gulf.

Two years have passed since mining exploration was done in Upi. Results of the soil sampling
have, yet, to be discussed with local leaders and communities.

Issues and challenges

Both CSO officers and barangay officials have expressed their apprehensions and outright
rejection of possible mining operations in the locality mainly due to its negative impact on the
environment. They CSOs reiterate their common stand and demand for the implementation of the
Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) which embodies their right to self-determination and self-
governance, as stipulated in the United Nations (UN) Declaration on the Rights of the
Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) as well as the International Labor Organization (ILO)
Convention 169 of 1989 entitled, “Convention Concerning Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in
Independent Countries.” They are one in saying that any mining firm planning to operate in their
areas should secure their Free and Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) before embarking on its
project. The FPIC process would pave the way for further negotiations on royalty sharing
between and among stakeholders and investors.

A major challenge for the IPs within the ARMM is the non-recognition and non-implementation
of the IPRA in the Bangsmoro. The situation is further aggravated by the signing of the
Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) and the Comprehensive Agreement on the
Bangsamoro (CAB) with the annexes to the latter. Of particular importance to the IPs is the
annex on wealth sharing. Even without the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) by both
the Senate and the House of Representatives, the CAB and its annexes is a binding agreement
signed between the government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front
(MILF).

5
Interview with Mayor Piang of Upi.

32
As stipulated in the agreement and the first crafted basic law, the GPH has devolved all IP
concerns entirely to the exclusive power of the Bangsamoro political entity, without due
consideration to the IP positions expressed both to the GPH and the MILF since 2005. It is for
this reason that the tribal leaders have decided to convene the Limud Baglalan Temanding
Kuwagib be Fusaka Inged (Tribal Leaders Conference to Re-examine IP Rights on Ancestral
Domains). It was held on December 13 to 15, 2013 at the St. Joseph OND Convention Center,
Tamontaka, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao. After the conference, the indigenous peoples in
the proposed Bangsamoro core area, thereafter calling themselves Tribal Peoples (TP), are now
arming themselves for the new battle ahead, and that is the call for reformulation of IP rights in
the BBL to be crafted anew under the new administration

In response to the threat of mining in their areas, the Limud Baglalan Declaration challenged the
tribal peoples with the call to invoke their “rights over the Inged or Native Title,” a territory
inherited from their ancestors in claiming shares in the exploration, development and utilization
of natural resources based on customary laws.

4.4 Oil and gas exploration in the Ligawasan Marsh

The Ligawasan Marsh has an estimated area of 288,000 hectares which makes it the largest
wetland in Mindanao, and the second largest wetland in the Philippines. It is a convergence of
three marshes—namely the Liguasan, Libungan and Ebpanan. It threads through the provinces of
Maguindanao, Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat. A much larger area is claimed by Maguindanao,
extending to five municipalities in Cotabato and a portion of Lambayong in Sultan Kudarat.

The marvels and importance of the Ligawasan Marsh are not only confined to the locals of the
three provinces whose livelihoods are mainly fishing and farming. The DENR-PAWD declared
that the floral composition in the marsh consists of l94 species belonging to l53 genera in 65
plant families. Twelve of these species are endemic to the Philippines. Most are upland,
including hardwood flora species that grow in the floodplains.

A portion of the marsh of about 43,971 hectares has been declared as Game Refuge and Bird
Sanctuary through Forestry Administrative Order No. 19 issued on January 19, 1941. It is now
supporting the species of endemic threatened birds that includes the Philippine eagle and the
Philippine duck (Anas luzonica). The expansive swamp forest of the marsh is also an important
wetland area of other water bird species like herons, egrets, rails, shorebirds and ducks. It is the
only haven of the comb–crested Jacana, also known as the lotus bird or the lily trotter bird. It was
named as such due to its habit of ‘walking’ on the water’s surface by skipping through the leaves
of lotus and water lilies. The marsh is also the last stronghold of the endangered Philippine
crocodile. It supports the survival of 33 species of freshwater fishes. It is home to 92 species of
birds, 6 species of reptiles and 5 species of amphibians.

Ali Hadji Nasser, chief of the Protected Areas and Wildlife Division (PAWD) of the DENR in
Central Mindanao, noted that the crocodile named ‘Malang’ that was caught in Dungguan,
M’lang in April 2014 is the largest among Philippine freshwater crocodiles in captivity. It
measured at 2.18 meters total body length. In April 2016, an 8-foot long crocodile named

33
‘Silangan’ was caught in Brgy. Cuyapon in Kabacan. Both crocodiles have been released back to
its natural habitat in the Ligawasan Marsh.

In 1998, NEDA-Region XII prepared the Ligawasan Marsh Development Master Plan (1999-
2025), recommending the declaration of Ligawasan Marsh as protected area. Earlier efforts for
the conservation of the marsh were funded by UNDP-GEF Small Grants Program (SGP) and the
Foundation for Philippine Environment (FPE) through the Ligawasan Marsh Integrated
Conservation and Resource Management Project. Another effort was through the National
Program Support-Environment and Natural Resources Management Project (NPS-ENRMP).

In April 2014, DENR-Region XII conducted a public hearing and consultation in Kabacan for
the proposed establishment of Ligawasan Marsh as protected area by virtue of RA No. 7568 or
the National Integrated Protected area System (NIPAS) Act of 1992. This was attended by
representatives from six municipalities, namely Tulunan, Pikit, M’lang and Kabacan (Cotabato);
Pagalungan and Datu Montawal (Maguindanao). Majority were amenable to the proposal. Also
in 2014, the UNESCO considered the inclusion of the Ligawasan Marsh as a World Heritage
site. No updates have been received so far regarding such plan.

Initial exploration for oil and gas

The last known exploration of the Ligawasan Marsh in search of natural gas and fossil fuel was
in 1997. The Malaysian petroleum giant, Petronas Carigali, led the exploration in partnership
with the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC). There were three drilling tests undertaken
in three barangays of Sultan sa Barongis (SSB), Maguindanao. The tests revealed that the area
has good economic potential for the extraction of natural gas and oil. According to the PNOC,
“the estimated natural gas deposits in SSB alone would be enough to fuel a 60-megawatt power
plant for 20 years. The PNOC hopes to use this gas to support the power requirements of
Mindanao as well as for industrial applications.”

In 2006, Admiral Muhammad Som of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) which provides
oversight on the ceasefire agreement between GPH and MILF, acknowledged that the Ligawasan
Marsh contains great oil and mineral deposits. In 2008, MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari also
shared in one meeting among his followers in Kidapawan City that American oil engineers have
declared the marsh to be highly abundant in natural gas. Based on their estimates, total earnings
from natural gas can reach $580 billion.

Interviews with local residents also reveal that stories have been spreading around in some areas
of wells and jetmatic pumps flaming with natural gas. One of four informants has witnessed such
occurrence.

In 2011, the national government declared 15 energy blocks or areas for oil and gas exploration,
covering a total area of 100,339 sq. km. One of the energy blocks lies in the Cotabato Basin,
covering 456 hectares of land area in North Cotabato, Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat
(Ligawasan Marsh), South Cotabato and Davao del Sur. This energy block, according to the
Department of Energy (DOE), contains an estimated 202 million barrels of oil and at least 821
billion cubic feet of natural gas.

34
In an interview with Dr. Abonawas Pendaliday on 07 June 2016, he shared that the Ligawasan
Marsh has an estimated deposit of 68 billion cubic feet of natural gas. This represents 8.28
percent of the combined estimated deposits of the Cotabato Basin energy block.

For the rights alone to search for oil in Mindanao, a top Malaysian government official offered
two billion ringgits or PhP27 billion to Haj Gapul S. Hadjirul, the political director of the MNLF
faction led by Nur Misuari. The Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak allegedly
offered 10 billion ringgit to MILF Chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim for the exploration venture with
Malaysia in Mindanao. “Malaysia offered 10 billion ringgit for the exploration of our oil basin at
the Liguasan Marsh in Maguindanao, which the US supports,” Hadjirul said. (Manila Standard
Today, 29 October 2012).

The Ligawasan Marsh is considered a stronghold of the MILF. President Aquino declared that
the national government puts on hold all gas and oil drillings in the ARMM, and this includes the
Ligawasan Marsh. This is in response to the request of the MILF until both parties (GPH and
MILF) have reached an agreement on wealth sharing in the BBL. The pronouncement was made
by the President in October 2012 in Camp Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.

Issues and challenges

Unstable peace and order conditions. The Ligawasan Marsh is one of the strongholds of the
MILF. This was believed to be the training ground of MILF recruits for military work and
production of explosives. The government has also accused the MILF of harboring kidnap-for-
ransom group (Pentagon) in the area, particularly at the Buliok Complex. The tri-border Buliok
Complex was captured by government forces in February 2003. The military dropped 500
pounds of bombs and pounded the 60-hectare Buliok complex with howitzers and other high
powered armaments. Communities surrounding the Complex and nearby places were displaced.
Both the government and MILF forces suffered deaths and the civilians were among the
casualties of the said capture of the Buliok Complex.

The peace talks between the MILF and the government have now silenced the guns and
armaments of both parties. Meanwhile, the pursuit by government military forces against the
Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) had disturbed the Buliok complex in the early
months of 2015, resulting in the displacement of around 20,000 people. This time, the armed
clashes were between the MILF and BIFF. The BIFF forces were trying to escape and get
through the Ligawasan Marsh as its safest haven against the government and MILF forces.

Political rivalry in the area has led to mass evacuation. The current May 2016 elections once
again disturbed the fragile peace and order condition of the municipalities surrounding the
Ligawasan Marsh, which includes Pagalungan and SSB. The political rivalries among local clans
now involve armed confrontations among relatives from both liberation fronts (MILF and
MNLF) who are supportive of these politicians.

Siltation and flooding due to cut-off channels and degraded watershed areas. Forest destruction
and increasing population that encroaches into the Ligawasan Marsh has resulted in the opening

35
of additional areas for agriculture and exposure to hazardous chemical inputs. This has further
led to soil erosion. The tons of bombs dropped as well as the armaments fired in the area also
contributed to the degradation of the marsh. All these have contributed to flooding in low-lying
areas like Cotabato City and a number of municipalities in Sultan Kudarat.
The cut-off channel in Tunggol was established to divert the water from Pulangi River to the
Ligawasan Marsh that would prevent Pikit from flooding. However, the cut-off channel did not
mitigate such. In a Situation Report dated 17 June 2011 of the Presidential Task Force on
Mindanao River Basin Rehabilitation and Development (PTFMRBRD), then headed by Cotabato
Archbishop, now Cardinal Orlando Quevedo, it was revealed that the 40-meter channel has
already widened to 120 meters. The upper portion of the channel has already transformed into a
lake. There is no available data on the current situation of the channel. Seasonal flooding is
experienced not only by Pikit but also by nearby Datu Montawal.

Non-approval of BBL. The passage of the BBL is expected to resolve the Bangsamoro problem.
As stipulated in the BBL version of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission on wealth sharing,
the fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas and coal as well as uranium, both the Philippine
government and the Bangsamoro government shall have equal sharing in the income derived
from such economic activity.

The non-approval of the BBL merely prolonged the Bangsamoro problem. On the part of the
Duterte administration, the offered solution to the problem remains vague. Federalism is still a
developing concept that requires further scrutiny in terms of its value and substance as substitute
to the draft BBL.

Land titling of Ligawasan Marsh. During the time of Gov. Emmanuel Piñol, there was an
accelerated development in areas near the Ligawasan Marsh. These are the construction of
airport in M’lang, the entry of Del Monte banana plantation, land titling as well as Voluntary
Offer to Sell (VOS) activities. Land titling and VOS scheme invited more outsiders into the area.
With the conversion of marsh areas into agricultural lands, the area became a breeding ground
for more land conflicts, not only between Christians and Maguindanaons, but also among various
armed groups, including elements associated with MILF and MNLF combatants.

5.0 Analysis and Conclusions

5.1 ARMM’s economy and mining

The total output of ARMM in 2015 reached PhP50.4 billion at constant 2000 prices, a 0.8
percent decline from its 2014 production level of Php50.8 billion. In 2014, ARMM’s economy
grew by 3.0 percent from its 2013 output of PhP49.3 billion. The 2015 downtrend is attributed
to reduced agriculture and fishery production as well as cuts in construction, electricity, gas and
water supply activities.

Table 13. Extractive Industry Statistics in the ARMM vis the Philippines, 2013 to 2015
2013 2014 2015
Gross Regional Domestic and Gross Value Added in Mining, at constant 2000 prices , in PhP million
Philippines GDP 6,750,631 7,170,414 7,593,769

36
 Mining and Quarrying (M&Q) 72,892 81,695 80,500
% contribution of M&Q to Phil GDP 1.08 1.14 1.06
% growth of M&Q 12.08 (1.46)

ARMM GRDP [please refer to Table 1 for details] 49,324 50,784 50,370
Mining and Quarrying in ARMM 113 181 303
% contribution of M&Q to ARMM GRDP 0.23 0.36 0.60
% contribution of ARMM M&Q to Phils M&Q 0.16 0.22 0.38
% growth of ARMM GRDP 2.96 (0.81)
% growth of ARMM M&Q 60.26 66.86

Employment (in thousands, July Quarterly Labor Force Survey)

Philippines 39,177
% Contribution of M & Q to total Phil employment 3.3
ARMM 1,222
% Contribution of M&Q to total employment in ARMM 0.1

Investments
Phil Mining Investments from Revitalization Program
under EO 270 (in US$ million) 1,499.7 1,193.1 924.9
Mining Investments in ARMM (in PhP million) 707.9 1,208.2 742.0
[please refer to Table 3 for details]
Total Production Value in Mining (in PhP Billion)
Large scale metallic mining (DENR-MGB) 98.2 139.1 108.4
Small scale gold mining 1.1 1.0 0.8
Non-metallic mining 57.8 66.1 Not yet
available
Large scale metallic mining in ARMM Not available NA NA
Small scale metallic mining in ARMM NA NA NA
Non-metallic mining in ARMM NA NA NA

Number of Operating Metallic Mines (without ARMM)

Copper (with gold) 1 1 -
Copper (with gold and silver) 2 3 3
Copper (with gold, silver and zinc) 2 1 -
Gold (with silver) 6 6 6
Chromite 3 3 3
Nickel 24 24 27
Iron 3 5 5
Total (excluding ARMM) 41 43 44

Number of Approved and Registered Mining Companies (without ARMM)

Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) 339 339 322
Financial or Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) 6 6 6
Exploration Permit (EP) 43 36 33
Industrial Sand and Gravel Permit (IP) 210 196 151
Mineral Processing Permit (MPP) 100 98 59
Total 698 675 571

Number of MPSAs and EPs issued in ARMM (not reflected in No. of MPSAs – 07
total Phils) [as of Dec 2010] [please refer to Table 4 for details] No. of EPs - 12

Taxes, Fees and Royalties from Mining (without ARMM)

Fees, Charges, & Royalties Collected by DENR-MGB 1,869.3 3,139.8 1,692.8

37
 Excise Tax Collected by BIR 2,493.5
Taxes Collected by Natl Govt Agencies 18,498.8
Taxes, Fees & Charges Collected by LGUs 1,527.4
Sources: PSA, DENR-MGB (national), ARMM-DENR, ARMM-RBOI

ARMM’s economy is largely dominated by its agriculture sector, accounting for more than half
of its gross regional domestic product (61.1 percent in 2013 to 58.5 percent in 2015). Its service
sector accounts for one third of the regional economy (33.7 percent in 2013 to 36 percent in
2015) while the industry sector contributes merely 5 to 7 percent within the period 2013 to 2015.
Among all the sub-sectors, mining and quarrying contributes the least to ARMM’s economy (0.2
percent to 0.6 percent) but has been growing rapidly at an average of 63.6 percent annually from
2014 to 2015.

In 2015, mining and quarrying output has been estimated at PhP303 million at constant 2000
prices, a 67 percent growth from 2014 output placed at PhP181 million (refer to Table 14 below).

Table 14. Gross Regional Domestic Product in ARMM, by Sector and Subsector, 2013 to 2015*
Sector/Subsector 2013 2014 2015
I. Agriculture, Hunting, Forestry and Fishing 30,142 29,885 29,442
a. Agriculture and Forestry 22,950 22,460 21,832
b. Fishing 7,192 7,425 7,610
II. Industry 2,536 3,356 2,806
a. Mining and Quarrying 113 181 303
b. Manufacturing 582 599 637
c. Construction 550 1,315 748
d. Electricity, Gas and Water Supply 1,290 1260 1,118
III. Service Sector 16,646 17,543 18,122
a. Transportation, Storage & Communication 1,886 1,969 2,108
b. Trade and Repair of Motor Vehicles, Motorcycles, Personal and 544 579
Household Goods 501
c. Financial Intermediation 1,420 1,557 1,697
d. Real Estate, Renting & Business Activities 3,769 4,062 4,098
e. Publication & Defense, Compulsory Social Security 5,956 6,316 6,514
f. Other Services 3,113 3,095 3,125
Gross Domestic Product, ARMM 49,324 50,785 50,370
*At constant 2000 prices, in PhP million Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

With regards to labor force and employment in the ARMM, it is estimated that as of July 2015,
1.2 million are employed out of 1.3 million people in its labor force. ARMM’s agriculture sector
provides work for 613 thousand of its populace (50.2 percent) while its fishing sector employs
215 thousand (17.6 percent). Its mining and quarrying employs merely one thousand people (0.1
percent). (Please refer to Table 15 below.)

Table 15. Percent Distribution of Employed Persons, Philippines and ARMM, July 2015
Major Industry Group Employed Persons
Philippines (number in thousands) 39,177
Mining and quarrying (in %) 0.6

38
ARMM (number in thousands) 1,222
Total (in %) 100.0
Agriculture, hunting and forestry 50.2
Fishing 17.6
Mining and quarrying 0.1
Manufacturing 2.1
Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply 0.0
Water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities -
Construction 1.9
Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles 12.3
Transportation and storage 6.7
Accommodation and food service activities 0.4
Information and communication 0.1
Financial and insurance activities 0.1
Real estate activities -
Professional, scientific and technical activities -
Administrative and support service activities 0.7
Public administration and defense; compulsory social security 3.7
Education 2.9
Human health and social work activities 0.3
Arts, entertainment and recreation 0.2
Other service activities including activities of households as employers; 0.8
undifferentiated goods and services-producing activities of households for own use
Activities of extrateriitorial organizations and bodies -
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, July 2015 Labor Force Survey

The above data highlights two important conclusions in relation to the extractive industry in the
ARMM. First, the contribution of mining and quarrying is currently very minimal at 0.2-0.6
percent, although it has been growing rapidly (63.6% annually) from 2014 to 2015, mainly due
to the mining operations in Languyan, Tawi-tawi which generated an income of around P1billion
in 2013 alone. Second, its contribution to local employment is likewise very minimal with
around 1,000 employed personnel (0.1%), in contrast to the combined figures of more than
800,000 individuals employed (67.6%) in the agriculture and fisheries sectors.

The case studies and dialogues with CSOs and government agencies also support the above
findings considering the informality of the extractive industry, particularly in the quarrying
sector, as highlighted in the Simuay case where there are more “attached” or illegal businesses
than legitimate business operators. In the case of mining operations in Tawi-tawi, employment
has been limited to a small fraction of the population since mining is still a fledgling industry.
While companies have been required to hire locals, available positions are mainly limited to rank
and file, seasonal and temporary jobs that require little or very limited technical capabilities.
Managerial and supervisory positions as well as those that require highly technical skills (i.e.
mining engineers, geologists) are mostly outsourced.

Third, as a fledgling industry, mining offers opportunities that can support local economic
development and poverty alleviation in the ARMM, as seen in the receptiveness of local
communities and LGUs in Tawi-tawi that are directly benefiting from the operations of SR
Languyan. However, the absence of enabling laws (i.e. environment and mining codes,
recognition of IPRA) heighten the vulnerabilities of certain groups and communities who are not

39
benefiting from these investments as well as those who oppose the entry of mining for
environmental and health reasons. A case in point are the seaweed farmers and fisherfolks in
Languyan whose livelihoods are threatened by soil erosion and flooding brought about by nickel
mining operations in the area. Studies conducted on mining underscore its potential threats to
water resources, particularly in small island economies like Tawi-tawi. And while the regional
government continues to promote mining investments in the ARMM through the BOI, the
decision as to ‘where to mine’ as well as ‘where not to mine’ is not guided by scientific analysis
and technical studies that seriously look into the carrying capacities and limitations, as well as
the long-term environmental impacts of these investments.

Fourth, the extractive industry in the ARMM currently operates in an atmosphere of ‘secrecy’
and lack of transparency especially at the initial exploratory phase of a mining project.
This is quite evident in the case of IP groups and communities in Upi where exploration
activities led by local politicians in cahoots with mining investors were conducted without
community consultations and strict observance of the FPIC process. The lack of transparency
and citizen’s participation further contributes to conflict as it sows the seed of distrust that can
trigger armed violence in conflict-prone settings such as in ARMM.

In the case of mining operations in Tawi-tawi, companies like SR Languyan currently provides a
platform for transparency and citizen participation through the MMT which utilizes the expertise
of local NGOs and academic institutions in monitoring mining activities. However, the technical
capacities and independence of these CSOs need to be enhanced for them to successfully
negotiate with the company and get a fair share of the income generated from resource extraction
for the benefit of the LGUs and communities that they serve. Members of the MMT are currently
observed to be beholden to these companies which are partly owned by local politicians.

Fifth, the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI) provides various platforms and
mechanisms which local groups, communities and LGUs in the ARMM can explore in order to
maximize the benefits as well as reduce the risks and potential dangers of mining investments in
their localities. More importantly, EITI in the ARMM can be used as a platform for dialogues
and confidence building among key stakeholders in the extractive industry--government agencies
and LGUs, civil society organizations and business groups, in order to develop mutual trust and
understanding that can be strong foundations for long-term efforts toward reducing conflict and
building peace.

40