As part of our follow-up training in 2021 for Human Rights Defenders in the Philippines, the Dominican network was sent to the seaside town of San Narciso in Zambales for data-gathering on the issue of black-sand mining and the jetty port operations impacting the livelihood of the local population. This initial contact led to further visits by the Dominicans in early 2022 that included celebrations of the Holy Mass by Fr. Victor Calvo, OP. In consultation with the stakeholders, a course of action was undertaken in partnership with the NGO Save Zambales Kalikasan and with the Philippine Misereor Partnership that resulted in the suspension of operations of the company in question who was fined by the Government for violations of the Environmental Clearance Certificate requirements.This action was an eye-opening experience for the local partners, providing them with the tools and a blueprint that could prove useful for similar advocacy interventions in opposing illegal black sand mining operations in the country.
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