Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Wednesday welcomed the Mines and Geosciences Bureau’s (MGB) order temporarily suspending Woggle Corporation’s Exploration Permit in Dupax del Norte, Nueva Vizcaya.
“We welcome the decision ng MGB na suspindihin ang permit ng Woggle Corp., habang hinihintay ang masusing pagsusuri sa mga nakabinbing isyu na inilagak ng mga residente sa Dupax Del Norte, Nueva Vizcaya. (We welcome the decision of MGB to suspend the permit of Woggle Corp., pending a thorough review of the pending issues filed by residents of Dupax Del Norte, Nueva Vizcaya.),” Pangilinan said. The senator filed Senate Resolution 284 calling for a Senate inquiry into the protests and a court decision barring residents from the mining site.
The Resolution directs the Senate Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, into among others, questions on environmental compliance; free, prior, and informed consent requirements; and reported environmental and procedural violations.
The senator hailed the persistent, peaceful protests of Dupax del Norte’s residents and local officials that led to the temporary suspension of Woggle’s exploration permit.
“Naniniwala akong walang suspensyon ng permit kung walang masidhing pagtutol ng mga tao sa kabila ng mga pananakot at panggigipit. Ito ang people power in action (I believe that there would be no suspension of permit were it not for the intense opposition of the people despite threats and intimidation. This is people power in action),” Pangilinan said.
In a February 5, 2026 letter, MGB Assistant Secretary for Mining Concerns and concurrent OIC Director Michael Cabalda ordered the immediate suspension of Exploration Permit No. EP000030Il “in the interest of public safety and the maintenance of peace and order,” noting the halt would remain until conditions allow safe access and operations to resume.
Pangilinan stressed that the order is only provisional and called for continued scrutiny of mining and exploration projects, particularly on the conduct of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) processes in upland and ancestral areas.
Government records show that the extractive sector contributes roughly 0.8% to national GDP and accounts for nearly 8% of exports. The industry directly employs more than 200,000 workers nationwide, with additional jobs supported in supply chains, logistics, and processing.
At the same time, mining remains highly contested on safety, environmental, and community impact grounds.