BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Indigenous people of Barangay Bulalacao in Mankayan, Benguet, have asked the Mines and Geosciences Bureau to recall the mineral production sharing agreement of Crescent Mining Development Corporation .
The Bulalacao Indigenous Peoples Organization asserted in the resolution that the renewal of the company’s MPSA was illegal, citing the company’s failure to complete the free prior and informed consent process as required by law. They gave copies of the resolution to the Mankayan Ancestral Domain IPO and other concerned local government units for their adoption; and the MGB Regional and Central offices.in Bulalacao village in Mankayan town despite the renewal of CMDC’s MPSA.
“Maybe they have not really stopped,” Bayanes said. “We will continue to stay in our barricade and continue to call for a stop to the drilling activities, hopefully they will heed our plea.”