Environmental Legal Assistance Center - Eastern Visayas

26/08/2026

“This just goes to show that community vigilance and action, no matter how humble or wanting of resources, can make a change and make those in power listen. More than standing up for their rights and welfare, the people of Macarthur showed that they can unite and succeed in pushing for what benefits the many and not just the few.”

𝐌𝐚𝐜𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐮𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐥-𝐨𝐮𝐭

Residents of MacArthur, Leyte celebrated the complete withdrawal of the humongous cutter suction dredger that was intended for black sand mining in their community. Many residents kept vigil and joined a Thanksgiving Rally on August 24 as they monitored the dredger’s departure.

Brenie Morcilla of Unahin Natin Lagi ang Diyos (UNLAD-Leyte) said, “Masaya kami dahil sa wakas nagkabunga na ang pinagpaguran ng mga anti- mining groups. Sa dami ng dialogues at meeting sa DENR, dagdag sa Open Letter namin sa Presidente, nagpapasalamat kami na pinull-out na sa wakas ang dredger.”

("We are very happy that the tireless efforts of the anti-mining groups have finally come to fruition. With so many dialogues and meetings with the DENR, in addition to our Open Letter to the President, we are grateful that the dredger has finally been pulled out.”)

Patrocenia Rael, a farmer from UNLAD, added, “Nagpapasalamat kami na wala na ang dredger at yung takot namin na gagamitin ito para masira ang aming palayan. Pero sana, tuluyan ng ipatigil ang mining dito sa amin para mawala na rin ng tuluyan ang aming mga pangamba.”

(“We are thankful that the dredger is already gone and that we are no longer afraid that it would be used to destroy our farmlands. Still, we demand that mining be completely stopped, so that our fears will also be permanently allayed.”)

Jaybee Garganera, National Coordinator of Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) lauded the residents for their persistence in fighting for the pull-out of the dredger. “From resisting in the barricades, and engaging in dialogues with the DENR to writing a letter to the President and organizing direct actions and information dissemination, the residents were relentless in their struggle to protect their environment and community. The dredger’s pull-out is clearly their victory.”

Meanwhile Atty. Raffy Pajares, Executive Director of the Environmental Legal Assistance Center (ELAC), praised the dredger's departure as a success of community action. “This just goes to show that community vigilance and action, no matter how humble or wanting of resources, can make a change and make those in power listen. More than standing up for their rights and welfare, the people of Macarthur showed that they can unite and succeed in pushing for what benefits the many and not just the few.”

17/08/2026

🌿 WE ARE HIRING! Join the ELAC Eastern Visayas Team! 🌿

The Environmental Legal Assistance Center (ELAC) - Eastern Visayas is looking for ONE (1) Paralegal to join our dedicated team!

🔍 Qualifications:
- Fresh graduates are highly encouraged to apply!
- A strong background in Research, Communications, Natural Sciences, or Social Sciences.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- A strong commitment to environmental protection and human rights.

💼 What You'll Do:
- You will assist in conducting comprehensive research, help develop evidence-based reports and materials, and provide essential support for our ongoing projects and organizational initiatives.

📩 How to Apply:
- Send your Letter of Intent and updated CV to [email protected] with the subject line: Paralegal Application - [Your Last Name, First Name].

Deadline for Submission of Applications is on August 20, 2026

10/08/2026

09/06/2026

Development is not just a matter of compliance. It should be a matter of accountability. The community in Barangay Casuguran, Homonhon Island has repeatedly been left out of decisions that affect them. Decisions that do not impact the state regulators who reside hundreds of kilometers away, the local government in the mainland, twenty kilometers away and most especially, the mining company whose employees can go back to the comforts of their own homes far away from the realities of the negative impacts to this beautiful island.

ELAC continues to stand with the HEARD, with the people of Brgy. Casuguran and the island of Homonhon in demanding proper accountability, transparency, and for the stoppage of all mining activities in the island until a comprehensive biodiversity and natural assessment of the entire island has been conducted and proper and continuous consultations of affected communities have been conducted.

09/05/2026

JOINT STATEMENT

An Matadong nga Transisyon ha Enerhiya Kinahanglan Ada ha Kasingkasing han Pagbaton han ASEAN ha Krisis ha Middle East

Cebu, Mayo 6, 2026 – San-o an ika-48 nga ASEAN Summit (Mayo 7–8, 2026) ha Cebu, Pilipinas, an Bantay Kita – Resource Justice Network Philippines, Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Indonesia – Resource Justice Network Indonesia, ngan Resource Justice Network Asia Pacific (RJN-AP) nagtatawag ha mga lider han ASEAN nga hatagan hin prayoridad an usa nga Matadong ngan Inklusibo nga Transisyon ha Enerhiya (Just and Inclusive Energy Transition o JIET) ha tiarabot nga Pamahayag han mga Lider (Leaders’ Statement).

An nagpapadayon nga samok ha Middle East, labi na an tensyon ha butnga han Iran ngan US, nag-ulang ha suplay han lana ha bug-os nga kalibutan pinaagi han Strait of Hormuz, nga nagdadara hin haros 20% han suplay han kalibutan. Ini nga pagsaka han presyo han enerhiya direkta nga nagbabahad ha seguridad ha pagkaon ngan enerhiya, nagpapamahal han plete ngan raga han mga kagamitan, ngan nagbubutang ha peligro han panginabuhi han minilyon nga pinaka-pobre nga katawhan ha ASEAN. Kondi, an baton nga “energy security” nga nakatutok la ha fossil fuel, pagtirok hin lana, ngan pagpadagmit han mga proyekto ha natural gas in may peligro nga maggapos ha rehiyon ha maiha nga pagdepende ha fossil fuel ngan pag-utro han mga modelo nga nakakaraot ha mga komunidad ngan ha kalibungan.

Gindugngan ni Beverly Besmanos, National Coordinator han Bantay Kita – Resource Justice Network Philippines, an pagka-importante hini tikang ha panlantaw han host nga nasud:

“An pagka-lider diri nasusukol ha pag-host hin summit; nasusukol ini ha kaisog nga proteksyunan an mga maugay o bulnerable. Diri makakasiring an Pilipinas nga nangunguna hira ha transisyon ha enerhiya samtang an aton katawhan nag-aantos ha pinakamahal nga bayad ha kuryente ha Asya ngan an aton mga tuna nga tinubyanan in ginlilimas para han mga ‘critical minerals.’ Nadiri kami nga maging ‘sacrifice zones’ para han ‘green ambitions’ han kalibutan. Nagpipirit kami nga an mga lider han ASEAN nga gumawas ha sirado nga purtahan han paghimo han Leaders’ Statement ngan isentro an tinuod nga eksperyensya han mga komunidad. Para ha amon, an transisyon magiging ‘matadong’ la kon i-demokratisa hini an enerhiya, igrespeto an amon katungod nga sumiring hin ‘diri’ ha maugay nga pagmina, ngan siguraduhon nga an pinakapobre nga mga pamilya diri amo an nagpapasan han bayad para han pagbalhin ngadto ha renewables.”

“Ini nga krisis diri la peligro ha suplay. Usa ini nga historikal nga oportunidad para ha ASEAN nga padagmiton an tinuod nga matadong nga transisyon ha enerhiya,” siring ni Aryanto Nugroho, Board Member han Resource Justice Network Asia Pacific ngan National Coordinator han PWYP Indonesia.

“Diri naton dapat tugutan nga ini nga krisis ha enerhiya magin rason para han mga bag-o nga proyekto ha fossil fuel nga nagtatapak han katungod han mga katutubo (Indigenous peoples) ngan mga lokal nga komunidad. An krisis ha enerhiya nga gin-aatubang han ASEAN nagpapakita nga an tinuod nga seguridad ha enerhiya dapat nakagamot ha ‘energy sovereignty’ pinaagi han renewable energy. Kondi, diri ini magiging matadong kon diri ginkikilala an mga frontline communities komo mga tag-iya hin katungod, labi na kay an ira mga tuna ngan katubigan amo an gintitikangan han mga materyales para han green technology,” dugang ni Angela Asuncion, Asia Pacific Coordinator han Resource Justice Network.

Ginhahangyo namon an mga Lider han ASEAN ha Cebu Summit nga:

1. Magbutang hin obligado nga JIET clause ha Leaders’ Statement, upod an target nga undangon an fossil fuels san-o mag-2030, ngan siguraduhon nga may transparency ha emisyon han sektor han pagmimina nga nakabutang ini ha NDC subay han Paris agreement nga 1.5 degrees celsius nga pangandoy.

2. Maghimo hin panrehiyon nga mekanismo para han transparency ngan traceability han mga kontrata ha mineral ngan enerhiya nga may kaupod nga Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) ngan patas nga bahin han benepisyo nga masigurado nga an transition minerals inin diri tikang ha mga lugar nga may panalapas hin katungod hit katawhan ngan masigurado nga ang mga mineral mabubutang ngadto ha renewable energy projects ngan diri para non-decarbonization sectors sugad hin para militar, AI ngan data centers.

3. Pormal nga iupod an civil society, mga katutubo, ngan mga maugay o bulnerable nga grupo ha paghimo hin desisyon mahiunong ha enerhiya ngan pagmimina pinaagi hin mga opisyal nga mekanismo ngan laray hin buruhaton han ASEAN.

4. I-prayoridad an paghimo hin community-based renewable energy ngan padagmiton an usa nga ASEAN Power Grid nga tinuod nga “green.”

5. Magtukod hin Regional Just Transition Fund para suportahan an mga trabahador ha minahan ngan fossil fuel, mga katutubo, kababayin-an, parag-uma, mga mangingisda, ngan mga MSME's nga naapektaran hini nga transisyon.

An “Navigating Our Future Together” magigin may pulos la kon an pulong nga “together” (urupod) naglalakip han tingog han mga komunidad nga pinaka-naapektaran—diri la han gobyerno ngan mga korporasyon. An Cebu Summit kinahanglan magin dalan han pagbag-o: tikang ha depensa ngadto ha usa nga bisyon han transisyon ha enerhiya nga matadong ngan malungtaron para ha ngatanan nga tawo ha ASEAN.

02/05/2026

𝐌𝐚𝐜𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐮𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐭 “𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐮𝐫𝐞” 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐆𝐁

Community residents of MacArthur, Leyte, are dismayed by the outcome of the April 29 Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue concerning mining operations in their area, calling it a “failure” for lacking any concrete commitment to the pull-out of the gigantic cutter suction dredger and the cancellation of the mining contract of Strong Built Mining Development Corporation (SBMDC).

Jesus Cabias, Founding Chairperson of Unahin Natin Lagi ang Diyos (Leyte), said, “We deeply resent the lack of sincerity of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in listening to our grievances and acting on our demands. We witnessed how they manipulated the process and acted as spokespersons, and even lawyers, for the mining company.”

Cabias said they were surprised when the MGB decided to put the four options presented for the dredger's pull-out to a vote. “They brought in a crowd of pro-mining people and asked them to sign in the attendance sheets, saying it would be used as a basis for the voting. But we have been clear from the very start – the dredger must be removed, and the mining operations must stop. It should have been settled then and there, the manner by which the dredger would be removed.”

Cabias added that the matter of putting the dredger pull-out up to a vote was only added towards the end of the forum, when most of the attendees had gone home, including the media. No instructions were given at the start of the forum which led to the confusion.

Brenie Morcilla, Secretary-General of UNLAD, “It seemed the dialogue was just for show. Pakitang-tao lang. There was also no solid plan to rehabilitate 56.79 hectares of farmlands destroyed by mining operations since 2020. They also made no mention of our demand for the complete cancellation of SBDMC’s Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA).”

The leaders of UNLAD, which was the main organizer of the barricade in MacArthur that brought the community’s opposition to black sand mining to national attention, stated they will continue their barricade until the dredger is removed, rehabilitation is implemented, and the SBDMC’s contract is canceled.

Meanwhile, Jaybee Garganera, National Coordinator of Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) threw its support behind the community resistance. “MGB-DENR should abide by its mandate for environmental protection and prioritize the community’s rights and concerns over the interests of mining corporations. It should exhaust all means to address the residents’ concerns and demands.”

On the other hand, Atty. Rafael Pajares, Executive Director of the Environmental Legal Assistance Center had this to add: “What is happening now in MacArthur should be a cautionary tale to the other municipalities within the coverage of this mining company’s MPSA, with all the documented complaints of damages sustained to farmlands of community members unwilling to have their properties mined, and even to government infrastructure as in the case of the still unrepaired NIA irrigation canals, it’s hard to understand why no disciplinary action has been imposed against them. The DENR, especially the EMB and the MGB, should initiate a thorough review of this mining company’s operations and impose the necessary sanctions, including the cancellation of their MPSA.”

14/04/2026

🌾 Empowering Farmers, Defending Land Rights! 🌾

On April 11, 2026, we held a Consultation Meeting with Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs), small farmers, and landowners at the Liwayway Basketball court in MacArthur, Leyte.

Currently, our local farmers are facing severe threats to their livelihoods and land tenure security due to dredging operations by a private mining corporation.

To support them, a legal mission was conducted to investigate the issue, document their claims, explain negotiation pathways, and extend crucial legal assistance.

🤝 This collaborative effort was made possible by the Environmental Legal Assistance Center (ELAC) serving as the lead organizer, in partnership with co-organizers UNLAD-Leyte (Unahin Natin Lagi Ang Diyos), Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM), KAISAHAN, and other Civil Society Organizations.

A special thank you to our dedicated Volunteer partner lawyers—Atty. Balvin Quillotes, Atty. Beverly Jane Valida, Atty. Pamela Dolina, and Atty. Jenny Longjas—for lending their time and expertise to this mission.

Together, we remain committed to empowering smallholder farmers and ensuring the security of tenure for the lands they cultivate.

25/03/2026

HIRING: Admin-Finance Assistant 💼

We are looking for a detail-oriented individual to join our team! Whether you’re a fresh grad or have years of experience, if you're willing to learn and grow, we want to hear from you.

Qualifications:
1. Accounting or Business background preferred.
2. Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
3. Passionate and eager to improve.

📩 Apply Now:

Send your application letter and CV to [email protected]. Join us in making a difference!

Send a message to learn more

12/03/2026