Pola, Oriental Mindoro Mayor Jennifer “Ina Alegre” Cruz has emerged as a vocal opponent of sand dredging operations in her municipality, joining a growing coalition of Mindoro officials challenging Governor Humerlito “Bonz” Dolor’s support for large-scale extraction projects across the province.

The controversy centers on a massive 1.8 million cubic meter sand dredging project in Gloria town, which involves extracting marine sand from the mouth of Balete River for use in constructing the New Manila International Airport in Bulacan.

Governor Dolor has defended the operation, citing input from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) that “dredging is governed by a separate legal framework and is not considered mining under the Mining Act of 1995.”

However, Mayor Cruz firmly rejected any similar operations in her jurisdiction.

“Kung sa akin gagawin hindi po tayo papayag,” she said during a recent interview.

The mayor expressed fears about the environmental implications, citing research findings.

“According kay Google, ang buhangin ng dagat hindi nare-replenish…,” Cruz explained.

Drawing an analogy to point out the environmental disruption, she added: “Hindi siya maganda kasi hindi sanay yung lugar na nawawalan na gano’ng bagay. Parang tayo pag bigla ang haba na buhok mo tapos nagpaputol ka.”

Mayor Cruz is not alone in her opposition.

According to media reports, two other mayors from Oriental Mindoro have expressed resistance to dredging operations: Pinamalayan (former Mayor Aris Baldos, now Vice-mayor) and Mansalay (Mayor Ferdinand Maliwanag), citing fears about damage to livelihoods and the environment.

The opposition extends beyond municipal leaders.

Congressmen Arnan Panaligan and PA Umali of Oriental Mindoro and Occidental Mindoro Cong. Leody Tarriela have all positioned themselves against the dredging operations.

Panaligan had said he would re-file a bill in the 20th Congress banning mining all over Mindoro Island.

Current dredging operations are conducted under DENR Administrative Order No. 2020-12, which allows for dredging vessels to operate within designated demarcation lines marked by buoys.

Governor Dolor maintains that the project “has passed all necessary environmental assessments and holds every permit required by law.”

However, residents of Barangay Balete in Gloria have called for the project to be halted, arguing that it prioritizes economic gains over environmental and social costs.

Environmental groups have also expressed opposition to the massive dredging project, which the provincial government promotes as a solution to perennial flooding problems.

Mayor Cruz, for her part, said that her responsibility as a local chief executive is to protect her constituents.

“Kung ikaw ay chief executive, pag-aaralan mo lahat ng mga bagay na papasok sa bayan mo na hindi magsa-suffer ang taong bayan,” she declared.

The mayor, who has served three consecutive terms without opposition, attributed her electoral success to community support, particularly regarding the dredging issue.

Looking toward the future, Cruz expressed worries about long-term consequences: “Ang Oriental Mindoro… kinabukasan ng kabataan, susunod na henerasyon. Kasi ano po ang aabangan nila after this?”

The controversy has created a clear divide in Oriental Mindoro’s political landscape, with Governor Dolor advocating for the economic benefits of the dredging operations while a coalition of mayors and congressional representatives have voiced out environmental and social risks.

A 2023 letter from Governor Dolor to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan requesting support for the dredging has resurfaced, fueling criticisms that people’s voices are being sidelined.

Mayor Cruz is steadfast in her position.

“Pero dapat lahat tayo ay manindigan doon sa tama,” she said.