In 2023, we, the residents of Sibuyan Island in the Philippines - set up a protest camp against a mining operation on our home, set to export more than 50,000 tons of nickel ore to China allegedly for bulk testing.

Our decision to protest wasn’t taken lightly. But we know too well the impact of mining activities on the environment – including deforestation, erosion, soil and water pollution, and destruction of natural habitats.

With more than 80% of Sibuyan covered in forest, the Island is renowned for its rich biodiversity and is home to various endemic species - making it ever more important to safeguard its fragile ecosystems.

The operation’s potential to devastate this unique landscape is truly alarming. Deforestation, erosion, soil and water pollution – these are all harms that we have seen firsthand or heard about across the Philippines.

On 6 February 2023, the Philippine government ordered mining company Altai Philippines Mining Corporation (APMC) to suspend its operations on the Island, following alleged violations of environmental regulations.

The company had not only failed to obtain documents required to construct the causeway for transporting nickel ore from the mining site, but a government inspection also confirmed allegations from the community that trees had been illegally felled and cleared for extraction of minerals for exploratory purposes and to export the nickel ore from the country.

This discovery fueled the determination of our local communities to join together and block mining trucks leaving the site.

A Writ of Kalikasan, was issued by the Supreme Court in which the Court of Appeals has been instructed to receive evidence and conduct legal processes. According to the court’s rules of procedure for environmental cases, said issuance “is a remedy available to a natural or juridical person, entity authorized by law, people’s organization, non-governmental organization, or any public interest group accredited by or registered with any government agency, on behalf of persons whose constitutional right to a balanced and healthful ecology is violated, or threatened with violation by an unlawful act or omission of a public official or employee, or private individual or entity, involving environmental damage of such magnitude as to prejudice the life, health or property of inhabitants in two or more cities or provinces”.

The illicit activities not only violated regulations and environmental standards but also suggested a disregard for transparency and the rule of law. Allowing mining operations to proceed unchecked would have set a dangerous precedent, potentially setting the stage for further ecological and legal violations.

Sibuyanons, as we call ourselves, also recognized that the mining operation could have harmful effects, including the displacement of local communities, social fragmentation, and economic inequality. We also understood the importance of preserving our natural and cultural heritage and maintaining our way of life, which is intricately tied to our natural environment.

Over the past years, communities, families, religious groups and indigenous people, and event businesses, have been standing up. Together we’ve successfully manned our people’s barricade and have actively sought out sustainable alternatives to promote local development.

We believe that ecotourism, agro-ecology, sustainable livelihoods and conservation efforts as viable means of economic growth and community empowerment. By focusing on these alternative avenues, we are demonstrating that we can achieve progress without compromising the environment or sacrificing our cultural heritage.

The people’s barricade against mining in Sibuyan Island serves as a long-lasting testament to the unwavering dedication of our communities to protect our land, resources, and way of life.

Our actions have showcased the resolve of a united community that values the preservation of the environment and sustainable development.

Let this be also an inspiration to other communities in the Philippines facing the same struggles to come together, stand up for human and environmental rights, and seek sustainable ways for progress. As we continue our struggles, it is an opportunity to raise global awareness about the importance of protecting our delicate ecosystems and the need for sustainable practices in the face of rapid industrial development. This is what we have learnt; this is what our actions say to the world.

Since 2005, we found ourselves converging together embodying our community value called “tikop”. The word ‘tikop’ is not an organization nor a group, rather it is both a worldview, a call to action and a synergy. It is drawn from the last course of action in community net-fishing in which both ends of the trawl net or “sayap” pulled by the townsfolk meet. This is to trap the catch down to the capture bag or “puyo”. Tikop becomes a Sibuyanon value of working together for a common cause to survive and thrive. We shall forever sustain the “tikop” camaraderie and relationships.

The Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) of APMC is still in effect and its exploration permit is still active. We hope that in the nearest time, the government will cancel all these.

We learn from struggles and communities like that of San Juan, Batangas. Ang laban ng Sibuyan ay naging laban ng San Juan, at laban ng buong Pilipinong sambayanan.

A geopark is an area where landscapes with magnificent geological heritage is used to support sustainable development through conservation and education. In Baras, Rizal, the Masungi Georeserve is an award winning conservation area, a rustic rock garden tucked in rainforests. It is characterized by rugged limestone karst peaks, steep slopes, forestland, and a thriving biodiversity. Our geopark is cared for, protected, and loved by a group of passionate Filipinos who strive to fulfill the following values: discipline, cleanliness, and pride of our own. This area, the last verdant corridor East of Metro Manila, is not just land; it's legacy.

The geopark and its surrounding watersheds have faced many threats throughout the years including large-scale quarrying, land grabbing, use conversion, and many more. Illegal logging was prevalent in the late 1990s. We worked hard to restore its forests and transform it into a sustainable development where nature is of critical importance and man interacts with his surroundings mindfully. We must preserve geological wonders as they are priceless assets of our natural heritage. Over a quarter-century, we've forged a bond with this land.

Our geotourism model uses “mindful engineering” through tourism infrastructure that mimics nature and is guided by these principles: protection and enhancement of integrity and character of place, market selectivity and diversity, guest interpretation and satisfaction, community involvement and benefit, planning and land-use for conservation and resources. Our georeserve offers visitors respite from city life while communing with nature, an opportunity to reenergize themselves while soaking up the natural beauty of the Philippine uplands in an innovative world-class conservation. A geopark is very similar to a marine protected area in the sense that it is mandated that the government and citizenry must prioritize the preservation of the territory with sensitive ecosystems, the home of various species of organisms. It is our hope to share our love for nature, scale our impact on surrounding communities, and ignite interest in the fields of conservation, sustainable conservation development, and geotourism.

We got wind of a new threat: a wind farm project intended on the karst landscape. The fight to protect the wildlife sanctuary may be far from over, but the courageous and creative efforts of like-minded groups in the past such as San Juan's victory over a copper smelting plant and eco-activists of the present inspire us to continue the work. We would like to thank and congratulate Barako Publishing for sharing their work with us and the Filipino community through the manuscript.