The Center for Development Programs in the Cordillera (CDPC) stands in strong solidarity with the people of Bulalacao and Guinaoang, Mankayan, as they courageously defend their ancestral land against the Crescent Mining and Development Corporation (CMDC).
For decades, these communities have shown courage and unity. They resist mining operations that threaten their life, land, water, and livelihood. Their struggle is not just for their communities. It is also for the protection of the Cordillera environment and the rights of all Indigenous Peoples.
The Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) of CMDC is indisputably tainted with fraud and illegality. It stands among the most controversial MPSAs, approved without Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) from affected Indigenous communities. Even under former DENR Secretary Gina Lopez, it was singled out as one of the 75 mining permits recommended for cancellation. These are situated within vital watersheds and ancestral lands.
Despite clear violations of the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA), CMDC’s permit was renewed. This decision endangers over 600 farming families and destroys vital water sources.
From the barricades of 1999, 2011, 2022, and now in the face of the ongoing 2025 protest, the people of Bulalacao and Guinaoang have stood firm. Their message remains clear: No to destructive mining. Yes to life, land, and genuine development.
CDPC calls on the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples to void the FPIC process, which impacted Indigenous Peoples’ claim to be flawed, and urges the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Mines and Geosciences Bureau (DENR–MGB) to cancel CMDC’s MPSA and require the company to leave ancestral lands.
CDPC asserts that the Cordillera region’s future should prioritize land, life, and dignity over corporate profit.