Members of the Indigenous People’s Development Organization-Barong-barong, Ipilan, Calasaguen, Aribungos, Maasin, Mambalot (IPDO-BICAMM) are asking for consideration from some members of the Sangguniang Bayan of Brooke’s Point not to block the resolution endorsing the renewal of the SEP (Strategic Environmental Plan) Clearance of Ipilan Nickel Corporation operating in the town.
The Sangguniang Bayan approved on October 27 Resolution No. 2025-251, endorsing the SEP Clearance of INC.
Brooke’s Point Mayor Cesareo Benedito, however, refused to sign and endorse the resolution, citing inconsistencies with the town’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP), a committee report, and opposition raised through a petition letter by residents and local stakeholders.
Additionally, Benedito said he is a respondent in a Mandamus, Certiorari, and Prohibition case filed by INC, which he said poses a conflict of interest and “may compromise the integrity and impartiality of the Office of the Municipal Mayor.”
This prompted the minority members of the Sangguniang Bayan to move for a reconsideration of the resolution, which IPDO-BICAMM is also opposing.
Led by their president, Julhaddi Titte, IPDO-BICAMM, whose members belong to communities in the impact barangays of INC, appeared before the regular session of the Sangguniang Bayan on Monday, November 24.
Titte argued that they trust in the capacity of the SB members who endorsed the renewal of INC’s SEP Clearance and that they studied and reviewed it before approving the resolution.
“Alam namin na hindi sarili nilang kapakanan ang kanilang iniisip at ganun din, pinag-isipan nila ng maigi,” he said.
“Sa tingin namin, kung sino man ang nag-endorse ay tinitingnan din ang kapakanan ng mga katutubo. Pananaw din namin na maiaangat ang antas ng kabuhayan ng mga katutubo,” he added.
Titte also said that if the operations of INC are stopped, it will adversely affect the lives of the communities who have been benefiting from the mining firm’s operations through the royalty shares.
Vice Mayor Mary Jean Feliciano, however, countered Titte’s claims, saying not all IP communities feel the effects of the royalty shares and that the majority still do not benefit from them.
Feliciano then asked for a copy of the breakdown of the expenses of the ₱74 million royalty shares that the group received.
“Maraming nagtatanong sa akin lalo na yung mga katutubo sa kabundukan dahil hindi nila nararamdaman. Yung mga maliliit na katutubo ay wala silang nararamdaman,” Feliciano said, noting that only a few IPs are receiving salaries.
“Ilan ba ang katutubo na nakikinabang?” she asked.
Feliciano then reminded Titte how she helped them when they sought her assistance to demand the company to release the royalty shares.
“Noong panahon na ayaw kayong bigyan ng royalty ng Ipilan Nickel, kanino kayo lumapit? Diba sa akin, at tinulungan namin kayo,” Feliciano recalled.
“Ilang beses kayo lumapit dito at tinulungan namin kayo sa NCIP, binigyan kayo ng mga dokumento, ng abogado, at nakakuha kayo ng cease and desist order,” she added, lamenting how the group changed its stance after INC released the royalty shares to the IP community.
