The Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) has condemned what it calls the “irreversible ecological damage” caused by large-scale mining operations in Barangay Macambol, Mati City, describing the government’s recent halt order as “too late and too costly.”
In its official statement titled “Too Late, Too Costly: IDIS Demands Accountability for Irreversible Damage in Macambol,” the environmental watchdog welcomed Davao Oriental Governor Nelson Dayanghirang’s move to stop mining in the area, but said that the action came only after over 200 hectares of land had already been degraded, threatening the integrity of the Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary and the Pujada Bay Protected Landscape and Seascape.
“This action, while long overdue, marks a turning point for Davao Oriental — but we must also confront the reality that the damage has already been done. The consequences are now being felt by communities, ecosystems, and future generations,” IDIS stated.
Recently, the Davao Oriental provincial government has launched action after discovering about 200 hectares of denuded land in Barangay Macambol, Mati City, allegedly caused by mining operations.
Governor Nelson Dayanghirang convened a dialogue with stakeholders, citing the incident’s impact on a major road project and its proximity to the Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary.
He emphasized that protecting the environment must be the province’s priority to safeguard the area’s biodiversity and long-term sustainability.
IDIS said its earlier warnings in 2022 about threats to Mt. Hamiguitan and Pujada Bay were dismissed by authorities, who insisted that the mine site lay outside protected area boundaries.
“Pollution, siltation, and deforestation do not stop at invisible lines on a map. Now, after the destruction of 200 hectares of land and the obstruction of public infrastructure, decisive action has finally come—but at what cost?” IDIS stressed.
The group also reminded the public that the fight to protect Macambol has come with human sacrifices.
“Environmental defenders and community leaders opposing large-scale mining across Davao Oriental have faced harassment, intimidation, and even death.These individuals stood their ground not for profit, but for principle. Environmental protection is not merely technical—it is a matter of justice, accountability, and human rights,” IDIS said.
Macambol lies near Mt. Hamiguitan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rare biodiversity, including the Philippine Eagle and the pygmy forest ecosystem.
IDIS warned that mining contamination, once it seeps into rivers and soil systems, cannot be contained—endangering not just local biodiversity but also global conservation commitments.
“The continuing risks to Mt. Hamiguitan are national and international concerns. Every loss weakens the sanctuary’s ability to sustain life,” the group emphasized.
The group also criticized Hallmark Mining Corporation’s claim of practicing “responsible mining,” calling it a “tired narrative” meant to downplay environmental destruction in Barangay Macambol.
The group urged the Provincial Government of Davao Oriental, DENR 11, and other agencies to act decisively by suspending mining permits, conducting an independent audit, filing legal cases against violators, rehabilitating damaged lands, and strengthening protection around Mt. Hamiguitan’s buffer zones.
Calling the Macambol incident a warning for all of Mindanao, IDIS stressed that delayed environmental action leads to greater harm, saying, “Better late than never cannot be the standard for environmental governance.”
The group concluded with an appeal for lasting accountability and ecological justice for affected communities.
