Rapid growth, ravaged land: Zamboanga Sibugay’s mining dilemma

ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY, Philippines – Beneath the headline figures of Zamboanga Sibugay’s economic growth lies a story of environmental strain and exploitation. 

The province posted a 6% growth rate in 2023, outpacing its neighbors and marking it as the fastest-growing economy in the Zamboanga Peninsula region, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). But this rapid ascent, driven by an 89.2% surge in mining and quarrying, has sparked deep concerns about its long-term consequences.

The booming industries, hailed as the province’s economic engines, are extracting more than just minerals – they’re leaving scars on the landscape. Deforestation, polluted waterways, and eroded ecosystems are emerging as the unspoken costs of development.

“Spend, spend, spend is the marching order of Governor Ann Hofer,” said Jay Millena, provincial administrator of Zamboanga Sibugay.

The provincial capitol’s bold economic agenda prioritizes spending to generate jobs and create economic opportunities over saving resources – a strategy that has fueled substantial contributions from key sectors, including construction, wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, and transportation and storage.

Roseller Briones, president of the Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce in the province, acknowledged the impact of these policies. 

“The local economy has indeed grown. But I am wondering if the people have felt this growth,” he said.

Local leaders said the province’s economic policy has boosted mining and quarrying, which the PSA identified as the leading industry driving growth.

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has issued permits to several mining companies, including Benguet Corporation for its gold project in RT Lim town and the Zamboanga City-based Siennalyn Gold Mining Corporation, operating across RT Lim, Ipil, and Titay.

The Benguet Corporation, the country’s oldest mining company, has or had links to the powerful Romualdez family. In a 2016 interview with ANC, Speaker Martin Romualdez acknowledged that he had once served as the firm’s chairman.

Romualdez’s brothers, Philip and Daniel Romualdez, had previously held the company’s top posts, steering it through both turbulent and prosperous times. The Romualdez legacy in the mining firm continued with his son, Andrew Julian, who served in the firm’s board of directors as of late 2023.

Nearby, in Zamboanga del Norte, Florjenmar Mining and Development Corporation (FMDC) received a permit for its nickel project in Gutalac town.

In 2022, Subanen communities and local officials called for an end to Florjenmar’s mining operations threatening to destroy a watershed and displace them from their ancestral domain in an outlying village in Gutalac.

At that time, Florjenmar, in partnership with the larger Zamboanga Nickel Corporation, planned on constructing a wharf in the area, bringing in heavy earth-moving equipment, hiring several dozen skilled miners, and deploying a militia group to secure what local officials said was going to become an open-pit mining site.

The mining activities have generated jobs and income, contributing to the local economy through increased activity in the wholesale and retail trade sector. Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay’s provincial capital, has become a hub for mining personnel conducting business and marketing activities.

But despite the economic benefits, concerns loom over the environmental costs. Mining and quarrying are resource-intensive industries often linked to deforestation, water pollution, and habitat destruction. These issues could undermine the long-term sustainability of Zamboanga Sibugay’s economic gains.

Briones emphasized the need for a balanced approach. “The challenge for the province is to sustain economic growth while addressing its environmental impact,” he said.

While Zamboanga Sibugay registered the highest economic growth in the region, surpassing its neighboring provinces and the highly urbanized city (HUC) of Zamboanga City, it was not the top contributor to the regional economy.

Zamboanga City was the largest contributor to the Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) in 2023, accounting for nearly one-third of the region’s economy at 32.3%. This was followed by Zamboanga del Norte with 26.9%, Zamboanga del Sur with 23.8%, Zamboanga Sibugay with 14.3%, and Isabela City with 2.7%. – Rappler.com