Liberal party-list Representative Leila de Lima has criticized the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for allowing the continued mining of black sand in areas like Zambales, Ilocos, and Cagayan, urging the agency to take a stronger stance against the practice.
She highlighted the environmental damage caused by black sand mining, including erosion, depletion of fisheries, and increased flooding, and raised concerns over the unclear destination and use of the mined materials, which she suspects benefit foreign entities, particularly China.
De Lima has filed House Bill No. 1843 to criminalize black sand mining, proposing prison sentences and fines for violators to protect coastal and riverine ecosystems.
The bill also requires prior certification from the DENR’s Mining and Geosciences Bureau before any dredging permits are granted.
Her call coincides with local opposition and fisherfolk groups’ fears that ongoing dredging operations in Cagayan are harming the environment and livelihoods, with reports of drastically reduced incomes for local fishermen.
Source: PhilNews24 | September 20, 2025
