Ipilan Nickel Corporation has secured a Certification Precondition (CP) from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, gaining the endorsement of the indigenous community in Brooke’s Point to advance its mineral production plans under its Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA).
The CP, a regulatory requirement under the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA), ensures that Ipilan Nickel Corporation’ (INC) operations respect indigenous peoples’ (IP) ancestral lands. The approval followed a thorough vetting process and the consent of the BICAMM community, which includes indigenous members from the barangays of Barong-Barong, Ipilan, Calasaguen, Aribungos, Maasin, and Mambalot—all with ancestral claims in INC’s mining area.
INC’s path to securing the CP involved multiple community consultations, where it presented its operational plans and potential impacts on ancestral lands. The process began with community meetings, where INC laid out its plans and explained the possible impact on ancestral lands, which helped build trust and open communication among all parties,” it said. INC explained that the approval process, however, spanned an extensive period due to prolonged consultations and legal steps.
“Despite the challenges, initial disagreements, and misunderstandings, INC stayed committed and worked closely with the indigenous groups to resolve their concerns and find common ground,” said Alexa Arabis, Resident Mine Manager of INC.
Even before obtaining the CP, INC allocated millions of pesos toward livelihood, education, and healthcare initiatives for Indigenous communities in IP-BICAMM. It invested ₱2,025,939.80 in livelihood programs and launched the “Hapag Katutubo Project” on September 3, distributing 170 fruit-bearing tree seedlings. The company has also provided employment for 274 indigenous members, surpassing legal employment quotas.
Educational assistance has reached 1,599 students—686 in elementary, 661 in secondary, and 252 in college—with college students receiving ₱5,000 to ₱7,500 per semester. Medical and burial aid for Indigenous communities amounted to ₱1,064,513.27. For 2024, INC will distribute ₱73,875,204.32 in Royalty Shares, and funds include ₱4 million for the IP-BICAMM Tribal Hall and ₱3 million for CADT processing.
“This success also sets an example for key players in the mining industry by showing that responsible mining is possible and collaboration with community members is achievable through transparency, truthfulness, and mutual respect,” said Mr. Arabis.
