Do you know that Sibuyan Island is called by scientists as “Galapagos of Asia” due to high species endemism? Residents of San Fernando, Romblon invoked “No To Mining In Sibuyan Island”. Romblon News Network also shares the latest news about the Sibuyan Island.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has ordered Altai Philippines Mining, a firm owned by “Plastics King” William Gatchalian, to stop its operations in Romblon due to lack of permits. Beginning February 1, 2023, the DENR Environmental Management Bureau in MIMAROPA issued Notices of Violation to APMC for violation of Section 4 of Presidential Decree No. 1586 or the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System, Republic Act (RA) 6969 or the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act of 1990, RA 9275 or the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004, and Presidential Decree 705 for cutting trees without a permit.
Alyansa Tgil Mina reported that Senator Sherwin Gatchalian and DSWD Sec Rex Gatchalian and Kenneth Gatchalaian said the family had connections in Altai Philippines Mining Corporation. The organization also said the brother of Senator who is Kenneth is a direct benefactor of Dynamo Atlantic Lts according to PCIJ. It was also reported that the company acquired Sibuyan Nickel Properties Dev’t Corp., a partner of Altai Philippines Mining Corp (APMC).
