ML partylist condemns Dupax del Norte mining, exploration plans

Philippine Canadian Inquirer
February 17, 2026

(Photo courtesy: Teddy Baguilat/Facebook)

DUPAX DEL NORTE, Nueva Viscaya — The Mamamayang Liberal (ML) partylist joined locals of Dupax del Norte on Friday, February 13, in protesting against the planned mining and exploration in the area that will put livelihood and people’s welfare at risk.

The group, through its fact-finding mission, also documented and gathered testimonies from the locals, which it will soon submit to the Congress for investigation through ML Rep. Leila de Lima.

“Ang Nueva Vizcaya ay kilala bilang ginger at citrus capital. Kapag apektado ang produksyon dito, apektado ang suplay at presyo sa mas malawak na merkado. Hindi ito lokal na isyu lamang, usapin ito ng pagkain at kabuhayan ng mas maraming mga kababayan,” ML President Teddy Baguilat said.

(Nueva Viscaya is known to be a ginger and citrus capital. Should their production be affected, it will widely affect the product’s supply and prices in the market. This is not only a local issue, but it is also a matter of food and livelihood of our fellow countrymen.)

“Kapag hindi iginalang ang kanilang karapatan kahit makonsulta man lang nang tama at totoo, ang epekto ay hindi teorya; nararamdaman ito sa hapag-kainan at sa kabuhayan,” he stressed.

(If the rights of the locals are not respected or they were not consulted accurately and genuinely, the effect is not only in theory; it will also be felt on dinner tables and their livelihood.)