LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, Philippines — Benguet Rep. Eric Go Yap has filed a resolution seeking a congressional inquiry in aid of legislation into the mining exploration activities of Crescent Mining and Development Corporation in Mankayan, Benguet, following ongoing community barricades and escalating land disputes.
House Resolution No. 1451, filed on Sept. 16, directs the appropriate house committees to review the validity, renewal, and implementation of the company’s Mineral Production Sharing Agreement No. 057-96-CAR.
“We filed House Resolution 1451 calling for an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the proposed exploration and mining activities in Mankayan by Crescent Mining and Development Corporation, not to prejudge any future mining project, not to oppose development, and certainly not to take sides before the facts are established,” Yap said.
The probe will focus on compliance with the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997, and environmental safeguards.
“Our mountains have always provided for our people. They carry our water, sustain our livelihoods, hold our history, and form part of the identity and heritage of generations of Benguet. Kaya kung may tanong at pangamba ang mga residente, mga IPs natin, tungkol sa exploration activities for possible mining operations within or near their communities, government has a duty to listen,” said the solon.
Yap added while these activities are still at the exploration stage, now is the proper time to ask the questions—before decisions are made that may become difficult to reverse.
“Nasunod ba ang mga tamang procedures at legal requirements? Were the affected communities genuinely and meaningfully consulted? Nirespeto ba ang mga karapatan ng nga Indigenous Peoples at mga requirements concerning ancestral domains? What exactly has been authorized at this stage? What safeguards are in place? Pinakaimportante sa lahat, were the people who may eventually live with the consequences given a meaningful voice from the very beginning? At isa sa pinaka fundamental na dapat sagutin nating lahat: for whom is development?” Yap further said.
Records from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau in the Cordillera Administrative Region indicate that Crescent Mining holds an agreement covering approximately 533.4 hectares in Mankayan. The MGB directory lists the agreement term from Nov. 12, 2021, to Nov. 12, 2046, with the project currently classified under exploration status.
Since 2025, indigenous residents from Barangays Bulalacao and Guinaoang have voiced opposition to the exploration activities, expressing concerns over potential damage to ancestral lands, agricultural areas, watersheds, and local livelihoods but Crescent Mining maintains that its agreement is valid and that it satisfied all statutory consent requirements.
The dispute has led to human barricades and court proceedings, resulting in a preliminary injunction prohibiting protesters from blocking access to proposed exploration zones.
“We recognize that mineral exploration may eventually lead to investments, employment, revenues, and economic opportunities. We should not close the door to responsible development before the facts are known. But neither should we wait until a project has advanced much further before listening to the communities that may be affected. Dahil para sa Benguet, land is more than an economic resource. It is home. It is livelihood. It is heritage. It is identity. And for our Indigenous Peoples, our relationship with the land reaches across generations. From those who came before us to the children who will inherit what we leave behind,” Yap explained.
Support for the protesters has drawn attention from local governing bodies with the Sangguniang Bayan of La Trinidad unanimously passing Resolution No. 426-2026 on Sept. 8, backing the indigenous communities of Mankayan and urging respect for their ancestral domain rights, culture, and self-determination.
The house resolution meanwhile aims to determine whether existing government mechanisms sufficiently protect indigenous rights while allowing responsible mineral exploration with the inquiry seeking to invite officials from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, local government units, affected indigenous leaders, and representatives from Crescent Mining to recommend appropriate legislative action.
“This inquiry should therefore hear everyone, mga apektadong residente, local governments, concerned national agencies, at yung mga proponents ng mining activities themselves. Let them explain their plans. Let the agencies explain the permits and processes that were followed. Let our communities explain their concerns. And then let the facts speak,” Yap continued.
The solon added the inquiry is not about choosing between development and the people but responsible development should never require stakeholders to make that choice and while there can be room for exploration, investment, and economic opportunity, there must always be room at the table for the communities whose land, environment, livelihood, culture, and future may ultimately be affected.
“Naniniwala tayo na ang totoong development does not begin with what we can take from the land. Pero nagsisimula ito with listening to the people who call it home,” Yap continued.
