Environment
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Occidental Mindoro Governor Orders Stoppage to River Dredging in Paluan Town
Occidental Mindoro Gov. Eduardo B. Gadiano has ordered the immediate suspension of river restoration dredging operations along Tubili River in Paluan town, citing permit violations and excessive extraction of quarry materials. The cease and desist…
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A Governor’s Lonely Stand: When Leadership Loses Its Way in Oriental Mindoro
There comes a moment in every leader’s tenure when their true character is revealed—not in the comfort of unanimous support, but in the crucible of difficult decisions. For Governor Humerlito “Bonz” Dolor of Oriental Mindoro,…
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Puerto Galera Sangguniang Bayan Opposes Black Sand Mining and Dredging Operations
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…
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PDRRMO Debunks Social Media Claims Linking Dredging Project to Flooding
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) of Oriental Mindoro on Monday dismissed as “fake news” social media posts claiming that river sand dredging activities caused recent flooding and landslides in the province.…
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Oriental Mindoro governor suspends large-scale sand dredging operations
Oriental Mindoro Governor Humerlito “Bonz” Dolor has temporarily suspended all dredging operations in the province following recommendations from regional environmental agencies to reassess the projects’ impact on waterways. In a Facebook post Tuesday, Dolor denied…
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Gov. Dolor Fires Off Scathing Attack on Provincial Board Over River Restoration Probe
Oriental Mindoro Governor Humerlito “Bonz” Dolor has unleashed a blistering tirade against the provincial board members Wednesday, accusing them of political persecution while turning a blind eye to billion-peso flood control corruption scandals that have…
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Occidental Mindoro leaders defy Supreme Court, intensify mining opposition
Provincial and municipal leaders in Occidental Mindoro are intensifying their opposition to large-scale mining operations despite a Supreme Court ruling that struck down the province’s 25-year mining ban, vowing to explore new legal avenues to…
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Cong. Arnan Panaligan Clarifies Funding Process on Flood Control Projects
Oriental Mindoro First District Rep. Arnan Panaligan has explained about his district’s budget procedures on flood control projects, saying he has limited authority over project selection and implementation under the current government funding system. In…
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Oriental Mindoro Vice Mayors Unite in Opposing Sand Dredging Operations
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…
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Zambales Collapse Portends Mindoro’s Environmental Fate if Sand Dredging Continues Unchecked
As resort buildings crumble into the sea and fishing communities lose their livelihoods in Zambales province, environmental groups warn that Oriental Mindoro could suffer the same fate if massive sand dredging operations continue unabated. The…
Founder’S Profile
Romel “Direk” Ferriol Bernardo
Bernardo Creative Ventures, Inc., the company behind Direk Fuels, Oriental Mindoro’s homegrown gas station chain, and Direk Builders, which rents out heavy equipment, is expanding its portfolio by venturing into online media and content production.
The company’s entry into news media is not surprising, as its founder and CEO, Romel “Direk” Bernardo, was a television writer, producer, and director for over 15 years. From 2002 to 2007, he served as a researcher, writer, and producer for GMA-7’s top-rating show Imbestigador before becoming the executive producer for ABS-CBN’s award-winning documentary program, The Correspondents.
