THE INTERFACING Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) warmly welcomed Davao Oriental Sangguniang Panlalawigan Resolution No. 18-24-01-2026, expressly revoking and canceling the province’s previous endorsement of the mining projects of Austral-Asia Link Mining Corporation (AALMC) and Hallmark Mining Corporation (HMC) under Asiaticus Management Corporation (AMCOR).
IDIS executive director Atty. Mark Penalver said the unanimous decision of the Provincial Board signals that environmental protection and the welfare of local communities matter more than profit-driven projects.
“We hope this sets a precedent for accountable governance and responsible stewardship of our natural resources,” Penalver said.
The resolution authored by SP Member Manuel Lepardo expressly rescinds, revokes, and cancels Sangguniang Panlalawigan resolution no. 14-76-03-2015, entitled: “A Resolution Amending SP Resolution no. 14-53-03-2015.
The amended resolution will now read as follows: ‘A resolution favorably endorsing the Declaration of Mining Project Feasibility (DMPF) and tree cutting permit application of Austral-Asia Link Mining Corporation and Hallmark Mining Corporation both under the corporate organization of Asiaticus Management Corporation (AMCOR) covering the area of Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) approved by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) thru the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) located at Magum, Pujada Bay and Salingcomot, Mati city, Province of Davao Oriental’; withdrawing all provincial endorsements and social acceptability granted thereunder; and recommending to the department of environment and natural resources (denr) and mines and geosciences bureau (mgb) the immediate suspension and termination of the permits of operation of the subject mining projects.”
Sangguniang Panlalawigan resolution no. 14-76-03-2015 was an endorsement issued on the premise that the subject mining projects would strictly comply with environmental laws, permit conditions, infrastructure coordination requirements, and provincial oversight mechanisms.
“Subsequent inspections, committee hearings, and official compliance reports have established material environmental non-compliance, including gross backlogs in mandatory tree replacement obligations, restricted inspection access, obstruction of provincial infrastructure projects, and conduct inconsistent with good-faith regulatory cooperation,” the resolution stated.
Official records of CENRO-Mati reveal that Austral-Asia Link Mining Corporation and Hallmark Mining Corporation had only achieved approximately 13.23% and 8.03% compliance with their required tree replacement obligations, respectively, in violation of their respective environmental permits.
These violations are especially alarming given that the location of the mining operations is adjacent to the Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and to Pujada Bay, areas protected under the Expanded NIPAS Act.
Moreover, the resolution emphasized the denied access and passage to the Provincial Engineering Office along portions of the MaCaLuLa Road (Macambol-Cabuaya-Luban-Lanca Road) alignment, which hampers the implementation of a critical provincial road project intended to directly connect the City of Mati and the Municipality of Governor Generoso.
Upon inquiry of the committee, sections of the said provincial road were also removed, altered, and effectively converted into a stockyard or operational area of the mining companies.
The resolution cited Section 69 of Republic Act No. 7942 (Philippine Mining Act of 1995) and Section 68 of Presidential Decree No. 705 (Revised Forestry Code), that mining and related permits may be suspended or cancelled for violations of environmental and forestry laws.
“The Sangguniang Panlalawigan has the authority and duty to revisit, rescind, revoke, or withdraw prior resolutions when continuing support would be inconsistent with law, public welfare, and environmental protection,” it stated.
The resolution gained a unanimous vote during the Jan. 28, 2026, session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
IDIS urged the DENR and MGB to immediately suspend and terminate the permits of operation of the subject mining projects, based on the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s recommendation.
“We view this action as a significant step toward accountability and responsible governance,” IDIS said.
The group stressed that the move of SP affirms the authority of local governments to withdraw support when factual and legal bases for endorsement have been materially undermined, and when continued operations pose risks to ecosystems, communities, and long-term development goals.
“We reiterate our call for the protection of critical habitats, respect for the community rights, and the pursuit of development pathways that are truly sustainable, climate-resilient, and just,” the group stated.
The mining company was said to have already affected more than 200 hectares of land.
