A Call to Protect the Philippines: PMPI Condemns Maharlika Investment Corporation’s Backing of Destructive Mining Project

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The Philippine Misereor Partnership Inc. (PMPI) is raising a strong objection against the Maharlika Investment Corporation's (MIC) recent decision to fund a gold and copper mining project in Kalinga province. This move, which aligns government-backed financial resources with an industry notorious for environmental destruction and social displacement, blatantly contradicts the principles of sustainability and responsible governance that the MIC was supposedly established to uphold.

A Misaligned Investment

Created through Republic Act 11954, the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) was designed to drive economic growth and support sustainable development. However, instead of directing funds toward truly progressive sectors such as renewable energy, climate resilience, infrastructure, and social services, the MIC has chosen to invest in mining—an industry long associated with irreversible ecological damage, human rights violations, and minimal economic contribution.

Mining remains one of the most environmentally destructive industries, contributing significantly to deforestation, biodiversity loss, and water contamination. Additionally, its economic benefits are disproportionate to the damage it inflicts, as it contributes minimally to national revenue and employment while exploiting natural resources that should be safeguarded for future generations.

It is deeply alarming that taxpayers’ money—hard-earned by Filipino citizens—will be funneled into a sector notorious for social exploitation, displacement of indigenous communities, and long-term ecological harm.

The Harsh Reality of Mining in the Philippines

The Philippines has a grim history with large-scale mining operations. Numerous cases have documented how mining companies have bypassed the Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) process, a fundamental right of indigenous peoples under the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA). Many mining projects have led to:

Massive deforestation and loss of biodiversity

Forced displacement of indigenous and rural communities

Soil and water contamination due to toxic waste and heavy metal pollution

Increased risk of disasters such as landslides and flooding

The loan agreement between MIC and Makilala Mining Company is not just a financial decision—it is a direct threat to the Philippines’ fragile ecosystems, indigenous communities, and national climate commitments.

A Direct Contradiction to Climate Goals

This mining project undermines the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) commitment to increasing forest cover by 3 million hectares by 2028 and achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Deforestation: Mining sites require clearing vast areas of land, leading to the loss of thousands of old-growth trees. These forests are crucial carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide and mitigating the effects of climate change.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The process of soil extraction releases methane, a greenhouse gas 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide. This further accelerates global warming.

Water Contamination: Toxic waste from mining operations pollutes rivers and groundwater sources, affecting both human populations and wildlife.

As the world faces a climate emergency, the Philippine government cannot afford to support projects that contribute to environmental degradation and climate instability.

A Dangerous Precedent for Environmental Defenders

Communities resisting mining operations often face intimidation, harassment, and even violence. According to the 2022 Global Witness Report, the Philippines remains one of the deadliest countries for Environmental Human Rights Defenders (EHRDs)—with 11 out of 16 killings in Asia occurring in the country.

If the government continues to support destructive industries, it further endangers environmental advocates and local communities, silencing those who fight to protect the land, water, and rights of marginalized groups.

PMPI’s Call to Action

PMPI strongly condemns the MIC’s decision to finance this mining project and urges immediate action to halt the misuse of public funds for environmentally destructive activities. We demand:

Immediate withdrawal of MIC’s financial support for Makilala Mining Company

 and other environmentally harmful projects.

Greater transparency and accountability in the allocation of the Maharlika Investment Fund, ensuring that investments prioritize sustainable industries.

Upholding the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities, respecting their autonomy over ancestral lands.

Strengthening environmental policies to prevent further ecological destruction and promote genuinely sustainable economic growth.

The Philippines must choose a development path that values people and the planet over profit. There is no justification for prioritizing short-term economic gains at the expense of our country’s natural heritage, climate resilience, and the well-being of future generations.

Join the Movement

PMPI calls on all concerned citizens, environmental advocates, and policymakers to speak out against this reckless decision. The fight for environmental justice requires collective action—now more than ever.

#PMPI #ProtectOurLand #RejectDestructiveMining #MaharlikaForThePeople

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