THE CASE OF DUPAX DEL NORTE: EXTRACTIVE MINING AND ITS EFFECTS ON CLIMATE CHANGE

Nueva Vizcaya is a rich landlocked province that holds 44% of the total combined metallic and non-metallic mineral reserves in the Cagayan Valley region in Luzon. Its primary sectors are mainly agriculture, fisheries, and livestock but international companies have actively sought after its land for their rich mineral reserves.

One of the most recent is the case of Woggle Corporation which is a UK-based subsidiary of Metal Explorations Inc. who actively targeted Dupax Del Norte, Nueva Vizcaya for its rich gold and copper deposits. Along with Metal Explorations PLC, they conducted rock chip sampling and geographical mapping of the area.

On August 4, 2025, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) granted an exploration permit to the aforementioned company’s initiative of Dupax Exploration Project, which covers over 3,100 hectares crossing the borders of barangay Bitnong, Inaban, Mungia, Parai, and Oyao. Throughout the month, opposition came swiftly from the residents, barangay councils, local governments, church leaders, lawyers, and environmental advocates.

Consolidated efforts were attempted by other local government bodies and environmental organizations but many of these fell in deaf ears. Along the process of reviewing Woggle Corporations application for exploration and permit for ocular survey, a permit was given to the corporation without consultation from the residents of the barangays.

Due to the continued objections of the local government, the residents of Bitnong barricaded and hindered the entrance of Woggle Corporation for over 6 months. On January 13, 2026 over 300 members from the Philippine National Police (PNP) were sent to dismantle the barricade of the people in order to enforce the Writ of Preliminary Injunction (WPI) that was issued by Judge Paul R. Attolba Jr. from the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 30.

ALL motions for reconsideration in the dissolution of the Writ of Preliminary Injunction (WPI) were denied by Judge Attolba. The Climate Change Network for Community Based-Initiatives trooped to the mountains of Dupax del Norte in order to stand in solidarity with their efforts against the large-scale mining and repression undertaken by Woggle Corporation Inc.

CCNCI was able to hold dialogues with the locals and hear their perspectives on the northern resistance against the mining operations in Nueva Vizcaya. We maintain that mining is a process of extraction that remains a detriment to the environment, as well as its inhabitants.

A recent study by Punia & Singh (2025) recognizes that there is a severe limitation in literature when it comes to discussing the contributions of large-scale mining to climate change. Their research found that mining and mineral processing contributes to the worsening state of our climate through its emission of greenhouse gases, mainly from the fuel needed in its operation, and through the reduction of carbon storage due to the loss of vegetation cover.

The research further states that the decline in vegetation cover is due to the decline of water resources, conversion of fertile land to wasteland, and change in land use pattern. It also acknowledges the difficulty in accurately quantifying the effects of mines in climate change but stated that its contribution to the worsening state of our climate is largely indirect that is made severe by different climatic factors.

On the other hand, the scale of mining at present is largely attributed to a sharp rise in the global demand for minerals and ores which is complemented by a rising technological industry that continues to consume exorbitant amounts of energy. An example of this is the rise of Artificial Intelligence whose operations demand greater computing power that necessitates greater demand for the creation of computer components.

At the very beginning of this supply chain is the extraction of minerals and ores as raw materials that is often sourced from developing countries processed by the factories of developed nations. Statistics from the Philippine Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) have indicated that there are over 59 operational metallic mines with over 212,000 workers within the country. Further reports indicate that over USD 7.32 million were exported with its gross production valued at over PHP 249.71 billion.

In essence, mining is an industry that is largely an export-oriented economy with only a 0.70% contribution to our gross domestic product. Even more worrying is the industry built around transition minerals that are necessary in creating the technology that is utilized in harnessing clean energy. For example, nickel is considered to be a cornerstone in the achievement of global transition to clean energy with such a mineral being utilized in the creation of electric vehicles and batteries.

A report from the Climate Rights International states that there are over 23 operational nickel mines in the Caraga Region with community members reporting cases of increased climate vulnerability, destruction of fishing and farming livelihoods, severe environmental pollution due to metal runoff, increased rates of food insecurity, and human rights violations against those who speak out.

We now see the same pattern in Dupax del Norte, Nueva Vizcaya where cases of food insecurity and human rights violations pile up against those that attempt to speak up against the extractive corporations overseas. CCNCI condemns the destructive behavior of these corporations that siphon our resources for their own industries.

We bear the brunt of the environmental damage caused by these largescale mining corporations without so much as to benefit from the natural resources that are bound in our own land. The struggle for the people is one of survival. They continue to resist despite overwhelming odds for the sake of their children, their future, and the environment that continues to provide for their community.

Transition at the expense of many is not development but a false facade of progress that is forwarded by a self-aggrandizing foreign entity that continues to siphon our resources. CCNCI condemns all forms of extractive operations and will continue to stand with the people of Dupax del Norte, Nueva Vizcaya until its lands are reclaimed for its people.

Woggle Corporation, out now!

Save Nueva Vizcaya!

Defend Environmental Defenders!