A dredging permit holder in Occidental Mindoro is under investigation over alleged violations of environmental regulations, amidst revelations that extracted materials intended for flood control may have been diverted for commercial use.

Blue Max Development Corporation, authorized to undertake dredging operations for river restoration under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Administrative Order No. 2020-12, reportedly transported around 7,400 cubic meters of sand to a reclamation site in Manila Bay using the vessel MV Hong Hai 16.

Under Philippine laws, dredging for waterway maintenance does not require commercial extraction permits.

However, the volume and destination of the dredged material suggest it may have been used for reclamation—a commercial activity that falls under Industrial and Commercial Sand and Gravel (ISAG/CSAG) permits, which Blue Max does not appear to hold.

Section 3 of the DENR order mandates that dredging must aim to restore natural river flow and mitigate flooding.

Critics argue that the export of sand contradicts this mandate and raises questions over compliance with Section 4.e, which requires the government to receive a “reasonable return” from dredged materials—returns for which no evidence has yet been presented.

Government officials in Barangay Malawaan, Rizal, Occidental Mindoro, have called for a formal probe by the Inter-Agency Committee formed under the same order, composed of provincial and national government representatives.

Environmental groups stress the importance of differentiating between dredging and quarrying, as these activities fall under distinct legal frameworks with separate environmental safeguards and revenue-sharing rules.

The controversy gained further attention after MV Hong Hai 16 capsized off the coast of Rizal, Occidental Mindoro on April 15, 2025.

Investigators are expected to examine whether the vessel’s operations and cargo were consistent with its stated dredging purpose.

Photo: courtesy of the Philippine Coast Guard