A veteran Oriental Mindoro legislator has delivered a scathing rebuke of controversial sand dredging operations in the province, declaring “Tama na, sobra na” (Enough is enough) as mounting opposition forces provincial officials to halt the contentious project.

2nd District Representative Alfonso “PA” Umali Jr., speaking on Kalahi Mo 101.7 FM on July 25, 2025, expressed unequivocal opposition to the large-scale dredging and black sand mining operations that have divided the province for months.

“Kaya ayaw namin ng dredging at black sand mining kasi sisirain lang yan [Verde Island Passage],” Umali said during the radio interview.

“Yung sa Gloria na fish sanctuary ilang beses nag #1 yan sa buong Pilipinas kasi protected area yan.”

The congressman’s statements emerged as the Sangguniang Panlalawigan has ordered a halt to the mining of black sand and other mineral resources in the province’s waters, citing environmental destruction, legal violations, and growing public outcry.

Umali’s worries center on protecting the Verde Island Passage (VIP), a marine corridor identified as a site of highest marine biodiversity importance in the Coral Triangle.

The passage, often called the “Amazon of the oceans,” is home to 54 marine protected areas and serves as a critical habitat for endangered marine species.

The congressman specifically cited Gloria town’s fish sanctuary, which has repeatedly ranked as the Philippines’ top protected area, as evidence of Mindoro’s ecological importance that would be jeopardized by dredging operations.

“Yung pinapagawa kong seawall mula sa Pinamalayan hanggang Bulalacao sisirain lang nyan,” Umali said, referring to coastal protection infrastructure that could be undermined by the dredging activities.

“Bakit tayo trumabaho ng trumabaho para lang pala sisirain nya?” Cong. Umali quipped.

The dredging controversy has created a growing rift between provincial officials.

While Governor Humerlito Dolor has defended the dredging operations as necessary flood control measures, Board Member Atty. Emmanuel Buenaventura delivered a privilege speech on July 1, 2025, calling for investigation into the dredging activities.

Environmental groups are opposing the massive dredging project touted by the provincial government as one of the solutions to the perennial flooding problem.

Critics argue that the extracted sand is being utilized for China’s reclamation projects in the West Philippine Sea, raising national security issues alongside environmental issues.

Some reports indicate that the dredged river sand from Mindoro is being sold for the construction of a new international airport in Bulacan.

Provincial authorities maintain the dredging is legal river restoration work rather than mining.

Representatives from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) said dredging is not a form of mining, while large-scale mining is prohibited in Oriental Mindoro until 2052, and small-scale mining is banned until 2047.

However, critics pointed out that the government is charging it a tax for quarrying, a type of open-pit mining, undermining claims that the operations are purely for flood control.

Environmental groups have warned that the dredging of sand can result in “grave and irreparable injury” to marine ecosystems, agriculture, coastal stability and tourism.

Photo: courtesy of Cong. PA Umali Jr. Page