31/12/2025
BALLIGI TI UMILI! Isla Verde’s MOA for Lower Abra River Dredging, REVOKED!
It is indeed a new year for the people of Ilocos Sur! After months of launching collective action against the destructive dredging of Isla Verde Mining and Development Corporation (IVMDC), we succeeded in revoking its permit to operate.
In a letter dated December 22, 2025, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Regional Office 1 (DENR-RO1), through its regional director, Atty. Crizaldy M. Barcelo issued the cancellation of the Memorandum of Agreement between the agency and IVMDC over the violation of operating despite being suspended. The company was unable to demonstrate that all of its ships’ operations were strictly within the RDZ and did not provide a validated technical description of its operations before the suspension was lifted. On December 20, the affected communities monitored multiple ships operating in the area, which prompted outrage among the communities and environmental defenders.
This revocation is a welcome development. However, Defend Ilocos Sur reminds DENR that compensation for the affected communities and rehabilitation of the damaged area should be pushed forward. The accountability of the agency, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur (PGIS), and the company should be put on the table as its next agenda, as the environmental and livelihood costs of the destructive dredging operation are grave and undeniable. We should always remember that if not rehabilitated, the damage may cause severe coastal erosion, covering a large portion of the land in the area. In recent months, several coastal lands and residential houses have already been inundated by saltwater during the typhoon season. With the worsening climate change, it is expected that Ilocos Sur will face multiple extreme typhoons, which will aggravate the coastal erosion in the area.
We have won another battle, but the fight continues until the affected communities are properly compensated and the damaged areas are rehabilitated. At the same time, we urge the PGIS to seriously look into properly planned flood mitigation measures. This time, the communities should be properly and widely consulted on the pros and cons of the project, and a thorough environmental impact assessment should be conducted, which is open to public scrutiny. We should revisit Dr. Fernando Siringan's study and recommendations and update them for the benefit of the people of Ilocos Sur.
We urge the people to remain vigilant! We greet everyone with a Happy New Year full of hope and fervor!
