Balatoc Community Requests NCIP Oversight on Mining Obligations
The Balatoc Indigenous Cultural Community is urging the NCIP to ensure compliance by Makilala Mining Co.
BAGUIO CITY — The Balatoc Indigenous Cultural Community (ICC) in Pasil, Kalinga province, has reached out to the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) for help in overseeing the commitments made by Makilala Mining Co. Inc. (MMCI) regarding their memorandum of agreement (MOA).
The community presented a demand letter to the NCIP-Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) on November 5, requesting the formation of a monitoring team. This team would verify whether MMCI is meeting its obligations under the MOA.
Details of the Agreement
This MOA, part of the Certification Precondition (CP-CAR-2024-504) issued by the NCIP on September 4, 2024, outlines the benefits and commitments expected from both the community and the mining company during the operation of the Maalinao-Caigutan-Biyog (MCB) Copper-Gold Project.
Representatives from the Balatoc ICC emphasize that the MOA is not a mere formality but a legally binding agreement that covers socioeconomic benefits, employment opportunities, infrastructure developments, healthcare, royalties, and social development programs.
Need for Monitoring and Compliance
In their appeal, the community cited Section 16 of the MOA, urging the NCIP to quickly assemble a monitoring team to verify the project’s status. They expressed the need for an assessment to determine if the project has been inactive for at least a year, in line with paragraph 28 of the agreement.
The community believes that this monitoring mechanism is crucial in ensuring that MMCI upholds its responsibilities to the Balatoc ICC, thus safeguarding their rights and benefits.
Addressing Grievances and Ongoing Issues
The demand letter also called for the swift activation of the grievance committee as articulated in Section 17 of the MOA, aimed at resolving remaining issues and concerns surrounding the project.
Furthermore, the community representatives expressed worries about ongoing legal disputes involving MMCI and its partners, which reportedly include Celsius Resources, Sodor, PMR, and Kiri Industries. These disputes have escalated into arbitration proceedings, raising uncertainties for the Balatoc ICC regarding the fulfillment of promised benefits.
The signatories to the letter are requesting urgent and decisive intervention from the NCIP-CAR to secure a clear and transparent path forward for fulfilling the company’s obligations to the impacted Indigenous community.
They have specifically sought the attention of NCIP-CAR Regional Director Atanacio Addog, with a request for communication regarding their demands to also be sent to NCIP-Kalinga provincial officer Anneleis Marie Mabazza.
Project Certification and Importance
The MCB Copper-Gold Project is governed by the NCIP certification precondition, which was issued in September 2024. This certification confirms the agreement between the mining company and the Balatoc ICC as pivotal to the project's implementation.
The participation of the NCIP in this matter is viewed as vital, not just for compliance, but for ensuring that the Indigenous community receives the agreed-upon benefits and support as part of the mining operations.