Vice Mayors in Oriental Mindoro are mobilizing to pass a unified resolution opposing large-scale sand dredging operations that have ignited fierce debate between provincial officials and environmental advocates.

The collaborative effort comes as the province remains divided over a government-approved sand dredging project in Gloria town that involves extracting 1.8 million cubic meters of marine sand from the mouth of the Balete River.

Victoria Vice Mayor Joselito Malabanan, who recently called a press conference to address the mounting crisis, painted a stark picture of environmental devastation already taking hold.

“Imagine from the river, sa bunga ng river, 1 kilometer ang layo na kinuha nila so nawasak ang dalampasigan na shoreline,” Malabanan said, his voice heavy with sadness as he described the destruction he witnessed firsthand.

The vice mayor revealed that what began as a seemingly modest operation has already shown alarming consequences.

“Kung baga ang kinuha sa Gloria ay I think 50,000 to 80,000 cubic pa lamang… So nangyari ako nag-imbestiga at nakita ko talaga iyong harmful effects (ng dredging).”

Even more troubling, Malabanan recounted conversations with local fishermen whose livelihoods hang in the balance.

“So iyong fish sanctuary ng Gloria nawawala na, kawawa na mga mangingisda.”

The controversy has created an unprecedented rift in Oriental Mindoro’s government, with Governor Humerlito “Bonz” Dolor defending the sand dredging project (others calling him the lawyer for dredging) while the provincial board ordered its suspension in July 2025.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) temporarily halted all sand dredging operations following mounting pressure from environmental groups and residents who claim the activities constitute illegal mining disguised as flood mitigation projects.

The sand dredging operations, authorized by both the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), was originally presented as a flood control measure.

Governor Dolor has maintained that the project is essential for mitigating floods and supporting national infrastructure development.

However, environmental groups and LGU officials of Oriental Mindoro argue that the massive extraction project — which also includes a separate operation to extract 38.5 million cubic meters of materials from the Balete River — poses huge ecological risks to the province’s marine and river ecosystems.

The dispute intensified when newly sworn-in Vice Governor Atty. Antonio “Jojo” Perez Jr. pledged to oppose all forms of mining in the province and called for urgent passage of a national law to enforce an island-wide mining ban.

The environmental impact extends beyond mere statistics, according to Malabanan’s investigation.

“Pag-hinihigop ang tubig, umuugong talaga ang machine. Kaya sabi ng mga mangingisda lumalayo na ang mga isda,” he explained, describing how the constant noise of dredging equipment has begun driving fish away from traditional fishing grounds.

As president of the Vice Mayors League of Oriental Mindoro, Malabanan acknowledged the delicate political dynamics at play but remained resolute in his opposition.

“Hindi namin sinusuportahan (ang dredging) dahil sa epekto sa mga tao. Kami ang binoto ng mamamayan. Kami ang dumidinig ng hinaing nila.”

The vice mayor said that their stance represents the voice of the people who elected them.

The controversy has exposed deeper tensions about how to approach development projects in the environmentally sensitive province.

While acknowledging some benefits of flood control projects, Malabanan stressed the need for proper consultation and assessment.

“Ang tamang action diyan patawag mo ang DPWH, patawag mo ang mga concern, ang contractor, ano ba ang solusyon na pwede natin magawa dito?” he proposed, advocating for dialogue over confrontation.

Yet his investigation into the dredging operations revealed damage that cannot be ignored.

The vice mayor’s firsthand account of a devastated shoreline and displaced marine life has galvanized opposition among municipal leaders who see themselves as the last line of defense for their constituents.

Second District Representative Alfonso “PA” Umali Jr. recently delivered a scathing rebuke of the sand dredging operations, declaring “Tama na, sobra na” (Enough is enough) during a radio interview in July.

The mounting opposition has created an unusual situation where the governor and the provincial board remain “not on the same page” regarding the massive river dredging operations.

Supporters of the dredging operations point to the project’s potential for flood mitigation and its “cost-free” approach to addressing the province’s water management issues.

Critics, however, warn that the environmental costs could far outweigh any short-term benefits.