Mankayan Mayor Pasiwen calls for calm and dialogue amid tension over controversial mining project

Mankayan, Benguet – As tensions rise over a controversial mining project in his town, Mankayan Mayor Cesar R. Pasiwen urged his constituents to remain calm and work together in finding a peaceful resolution to the issue.

Speaking during the local government’s flag-raising ceremony on Monday, October 20, Pasiwen acknowledged the criticisms directed at him regarding the ongoing mining dispute. He said he understands the concerns of residents but clarified that the local government unit (LGU) has not issued any permit for the company’s drilling operations.

“We are all aware — mabasbasa tayo met. Ti kunkunada piman, anya ngay ti araramiden ti LGU Mankayan? Dayta ti price of being elected (as mayor), talaga mabasbash ka. For your information, we did not issue a drilling permit to Crescent,” Pasiwen disclosed.

Pasiwen explained that aside from the company having a legal permit (from concerned government agencies handling mining) to conduct its operations, much of the confusion stems from differences of opinion between the affected barangays of Guinaoang and Bulalacao.

According to him, some residents are in favor of the planned mining project, while others—who recently held a protest and installed a barricade—are strongly against it.

“Ti makitkita mi nga problema idiay nga maysa, daytoy gamin nagnada ti legal process diay kompanya. Ada met ti mangmadi. Ngem diay baragays nga involved, dagijay kagedwa itul-tulok da, kayat da diay drilling; diay kagedwa madi da. So siguro, pagtitinulungan tayo, ayaban tayo suda ta agtugaw tayo tapno pagtutungtungan tayo, tapno kuna tayo nga maymaysa tayo. Nu puraw, puraw tayo amin. Nu kuna tayo nga black tayo, black tayo amin. Diay gamin nagegedwa, sunga kunak baka diay ti pangresolbaan diay issue,” the mayor said.

The mayor’s statement came amid continuing opposition from residents of the said barangays against the mining operations of a 64% Australian-owned company, which they claim has not obtained free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) from the affected indigenous communities.

While residents continue their protests and pursue legal actions, Mayor Pasiwen appealed for calm and open dialogue, saying that true progress can only be achieved if the people of Mankayan stand united.

“Uray maysa nga bario or maysa nga sitio, we are all affected. Taga-Mankayan tayo met amin. Kayat tayo a ti progreso, ngem dapat awan koma ti gulo. As the father of our town—kunada garud, sika ti ama ti ili—ket ti maysa nga ama, madim a nga agugulo dagita anak mo. Kayat tayo natalna,” he added.

It can be recalled that on October 13, around 400 residents gathered for a community mass and program to bless their newly installed barricade. While continuing their legal efforts against the mining project, locals remain vigilant, guarding the barricade 24 hours a day to prevent the company’s mining equipment from entering their area.