BOAC, Marinduque — The Marinduque Council for Environmental Concerns (MACEC) on Tuesday, March 24 commemorated the 30th anniversary of the Marcopper mine tailings disaster with a roundtable discussion (RTD) on the Boac River spill, held at the Sacred Heart Diocesan Pastoral Center.
In a statement, MACEC described the anniversary as “a somber reminder of the 1.6 million cubic meters of toxic waste that devastated the Boac River,” while also highlighting it as “a testament to the decades-long resilience of the Marinduqueño people.”
The group emphasized that the province now stands at a “historic crossroads,” following the Court of Appeals’ approval of a $100-million settlement agreement with Barrick Gold Corporation (formerly Placer Dome).
“We transition from a season of litigation to a season of restoration,” MACEC said, stressing that it is a collective responsibility to ensure the agreement becomes “a catalyst for the physical and ecological healing of our province,” rather than merely a legal victory.
The roundtable discussion aimed to outline concrete steps toward rehabilitation. Among its key objectives were the creation of a unified roadmap to fast-track the implementation of the settlement agreement and initiate science-based environmental restoration, as well as ensuring transparency in the management of funds dedicated to rehabilitating the Boac and Mogpog rivers, Calancan Bay, and other affected areas.
The event also paid tribute to environmental advocates Eliza Hernandez, Mamerto Lanete, and Godofredo Manoy who were recognized for their role in filing the Writ of Kalikasan, a legal action that helped pave the way for the settlement.
During the program, the MACEC secretariat presented the organization’s 30-year struggle for environmental justice, followed by a legal briefing and updates on the settlement. Discussions also tackled the role of a proposed multi-stakeholder oversight council and the challenges ahead in ensuring effective implementation.
Local officials, including members of the Sangguniang Bayan and chief executives from Boac, Mogpog, and Santa Cruz, participated in the discussions. A proposed rehabilitation roadmap was presented by the MACEC chairperson, while the provincial governor through its representative delivered a message emphasizing unity and moving forward.
The event concluded with a synthesis of action points and resolutions, and the signing of a unity statement among stakeholders.
Among those in attendance were Bishop Edwin Panergo of the Diocese of Boac, members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, local government officials, non-government organizations, and representatives from the private sector. -- Dr. Randy T. Nobleza/Marinduquenews.org
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