Abuyog Extends Mining Ban, Declares Firms Persona Non Grata

Posted on Mar. 15, 2026 at 11:42 am

ABUYOG, Leyte — The municipal legislative body of Abuyog, Leyte has reinforced its long-standing opposition to mining by approving two new resolutions that prohibit mining activities in the town and declare mining companies persona non grata.

The measures reaffirm and extend a previous 25-year mining ban originally enacted years ago under former mayor Octavio Traya Jr., who first moved to block mining operations after a company sought to explore black sand deposits in the municipality.

According to Vice Mayor Dario P. Lleve, the company attempted to proceed despite the ban by depositing more than P80,000 for a permit at the municipal treasurer’s office. The payment was rejected, and a later attempt to channel the deposit through the courts also failed.

Lleve said the company’s lack of consultation with barangay officials and residents further intensified local opposition. He noted that Abuyog is believed to have some of the largest black sand deposits in the area, particularly compared with nearby towns such as MacArthur, Javier, and Dulag.

“These deposits stretch along our coastal areas and rivers, from Bagacay down to the boundary of Silago,” Lleve said, adding that nearly half of the reserves are located along the coastline.

Local officials and residents fear that extracting the mineral could weaken natural coastal defenses and worsen flooding, especially during periods of heavy rain or low-pressure weather systems that cause rivers to overflow.

“The community fears that black sand mining will aggravate flooding in our municipality,” Lleve said, noting that Abuyog is surrounded by several rivers and is vulnerable to water surges during storms.

Officials estimate the depth of the black sand deposits to reach about three culverts, or roughly 3.6 meters, underscoring the scale of the resource and the risks associated with its extraction.

To strengthen environmental protection, the municipal council approved a second resolution declaring mining firms persona non grata and extending the mining ban by another 50 years, bringing the total prohibition to 75 years.

The resolution also urges neighboring municipalities—Javier, Mayorga, and Dulag—to adopt similar measures to prevent mining activities from spreading across the region.

Mayor Lemuel “Gin” Traya expressed full support for the resolutions, emphasizing the municipality’s commitment to protecting its environment and residents.

“We stand united in protecting the land that sustains us,” the mayor said.

Alongside environmental protection efforts, the local government has also strengthened disaster preparedness by establishing Bahay Malagikay, a facility designed to support emergency response during natural disasters.

Local officials say the municipality’s decisive action demonstrates Abuyog’s determination to safeguard its natural resources and prioritize community welfare over mining interests. — Ronnie Yanuario & Nicole Ybañez Cabacang, NWSSU, DEVCom Intern

Photo Caption: Residents and local officials join the Roots of Hope tree-planting activity at the Pilar landslide Ground Zero in Abuyog, Leyte on March 6, 2026, planting native trees to help restore the area and strengthen protection against future landslides.(Photo courtesy: LGU Abuyog Leyte)