The municipal council of Puerto Galera has endorsed a provincial resolution banning black sand mining and large-scale dredging operations in Oriental Mindoro province.

The Sangguniang Bayan passed Resolution No. 2025-07-153, expressing support for the 12th Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s decision to rescind and revoke SP Resolution 6650-2023, which had previously allowed river restoration activities.

The resolution was passed in July 2025, but copy of the approved Resolution was made in public only today, September 4, 2025, through the public information office’s social media page of Puerto Galera LGU.

The Resolution cited environmental damage linked to mining operations disguised as flood control projects, noting that “serious environmental, ecological, and socio-economic issues” are associated with black sand extraction and large-scale dredging in the province.

“This body expresses its serious objection and strong opposition to any and all forms of black sand mining and large-scale dredging operations that threaten the ecological balance, marine life, agricultural lands, fisheries, and the livelihood of Oriental Mindoreño,” the resolution said.

Oriental Mindoro, known for its rich marine biodiversity and agricultural lands, has faced pressure from mining interests seeking to exploit its black sand deposits, which contain valuable minerals including magnetite and chromite.

The resolution was signed by Municipal Vice Mayor Rocky Ilagan and attested by Sanggunian Secretary Carina Cataquis-Aldover.