Growing up near the mining company in Marinduque, I witnessed residues, the devastation caused by the Marcopper mining disaster in the 1990s. For over two decades, my community and I have lived in the shadow of this tragedy. Despite the mining operation's closure, our rivers and lands remain tainted with toxic tailings, posing ongoing health and environmental hazards.

The Mogpog River and Boac River, once thriving with aquatic life, now bear the scars of this ecological catastrophe. Heavy metals and other pollutants continue to infiltrate our soil, water, and air, endangering the lives of local residents and wildlife. The people of Marinduque are forced to grapple with increased cases of skin diseases, respiratory problems, and other health issues attributed to prolonged exposure to these toxins. It's a silent cry that has been ignored for too long.

According to a study by the University of the Philippines, the contamination levels in these areas exceed the acceptable standards, still affecting over 20,000 residents today. The continual negligence has made it clear that leaving this problem unresolved will only perpetuate suffering and environmental degradation.

It's time to demand action from both our local government and the operators responsible for the disaster. We need an immediate and comprehensive cleanup of the contaminated sites, funded by those accountable for this mess. Introducing stricter regulations and continuous monitoring of former mining areas will prevent similar disasters in the future.

Signing this petition is a step towards justice and healing for the people of Marinduque. Stand with us in calling for the restoration of our rivers, lands, and health. Raise your voice to make the responsible parties take action and bring life back to our precious environment. Please sign this petition to ensure no future generations have to endure such hardship again.