

Petition for the Protection of Cantilan’s Watershed
The Issue
A vital water source for Cantilan, Surigao del Sur, is now under threat. The Carac-an Watershed, which supplies water to farmers and communities, remains at risk from destructive mining operations. The latest threat to the municipality’s ecosystem is the potential cutting of an unknown number of trees.
Marcventures Mining and Development Corporation (MMDC) currently has a pending application for a tree-cutting and earth-balling permit, which would allow it to continue its mining activities. Despite the strong opposition by residents, the Sangguniang Bayan of Cantilan recently passed a “Resolution of No Objection” to MMDC’s application for tree-cutting and earth-balling permit. Even in the absence of clear answers to vital questions regarding the mining company’s application, the local government nevertheless proceeded to issue the Resolution.
In light of this, we, the undersigned, support the call of One Cantilan for Water Coalition to the Sangguniang Bayan for the reconsideration of its “Resolution of No Objection”.
We hereby sign on to the coalition’s Letter Request for Clarification and Reconsideration. (See below).
Water is Life. Water security must be protected before a crisis occurs….not after.
Photo by Erwin Mascariñas | Global witness

2,244
The Issue
A vital water source for Cantilan, Surigao del Sur, is now under threat. The Carac-an Watershed, which supplies water to farmers and communities, remains at risk from destructive mining operations. The latest threat to the municipality’s ecosystem is the potential cutting of an unknown number of trees.
Marcventures Mining and Development Corporation (MMDC) currently has a pending application for a tree-cutting and earth-balling permit, which would allow it to continue its mining activities. Despite the strong opposition by residents, the Sangguniang Bayan of Cantilan recently passed a “Resolution of No Objection” to MMDC’s application for tree-cutting and earth-balling permit. Even in the absence of clear answers to vital questions regarding the mining company’s application, the local government nevertheless proceeded to issue the Resolution.
In light of this, we, the undersigned, support the call of One Cantilan for Water Coalition to the Sangguniang Bayan for the reconsideration of its “Resolution of No Objection”.
We hereby sign on to the coalition’s Letter Request for Clarification and Reconsideration. (See below).
Water is Life. Water security must be protected before a crisis occurs….not after.
Photo by Erwin Mascariñas | Global witness

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Petition created on August 29, 2026