Environment
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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…
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Public Officials in Paluan Stand United Against Sand Dredging Operations
Local government officials and barangay leaders in Paluan have officially expressed unanimous opposition to all dredging activities in the municipality’s territorial waters, citing grave environmental and safety reasons. The unified stance was formalized through resolutions…
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Governor Dolor Fires Back at Critics: “I Will Sue Those Who Falsely Accused Me” — Defends Dredging as Flood Solution
Governor Dolor Fires Back at Critics: “I Will Sue Those Who Falsely Accused Me” — Defends Dredging as Flood Solution In a dramatic and defiant appearance before the 12th Provincial Board Committee Hearing on Wednesday,…
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Political Coup Rocks Oriental Mindoro SP as Dredging Controversy Deepens
A dramatic political upheaval has shaken the Oriental Mindoro Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) as the 12th Provincial Board stripped on Monday Vice Governor Atty. CA “Jojo” Perez Jr. of his power to appoint committee chairmanships, declaring…
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Oriental Mindoro Lawmaker Slams Sand Dredging: “Enough is enough”
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…
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Thousands Evacuated as Severe Flooding Hits Oriental Mindoro
More than 10,000 people across Oriental Mindoro have been affected by severe flooding, with nearly 1,000 residents taking shelter in evacuation centers as monsoon rains enhanced by Typhoon Dante continue to batter Mindoro island, disaster…
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Oriental Mindoro Scraps Controversial ‘Armor Rock’ Ordinance
Oriental Mindoro provincial board has dramatically repealed a controversial law allowing the extraction of massive volcanic boulders after mounting public pressure and fears the legislation could be hijacked by mining firms. In a stunning reversal…
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Heavy Rains in Oriental Mindoro as Tropical Depression Crising Brings Widespread Downpours
Oriental Mindoro is bracing for heavy rainfall as Tropical Depression Crising continues to dump heavy rains across the Bicol Region, MIMAROPA and Northern Samar, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Thursday.…
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Oriental Mindoro SP Orders Stoppage of Sand Dredging Operations, but Gov. Dolor Says No
Oriental Mindoro SP Orders Stoppage of Sand Dredging Operations, but Gov. Dolor Says No The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Oriental Mindoro has temporarily suspended all sand dredging operations in the province following mounting pressure from environmental…
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Occidental Mindoro’s P23.9M ‘River Restoration’ Income Ignites Questions Over Sand Mining Operations
The Provincial Government of Occidental Mindoro’s recent disclosure of P23.9 million in “Sand and Gravel/Dredging Shares” distributed to local government units has unearthed questions about whether ongoing operations constitute legitimate river restoration or disguised commercial…
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.
