Nueva Vizcaya Court sides with mine firm over protests

Nueva Vizcaya’s Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 30 on Thursday, October 16, has approved Woggle Corporation’s request for court intervention over continued protests and barricading in a mining exploration site within Dupax del Norte’s premises.

Through a released order, RTC Judge Paul Attolba Jr. confirms the 20-day extension of the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) issued on October 10.

Attolba emphasized that the TRO includes restrictions such as installing or maintaining a barricade along Keon Barangay Road, Barangay Bitnong, and the Aritao-Quirino national highway, and preventing vehicles, employees, contractors, representatives, and agents of Woggle from entering Keon to access the exploration area.

The mining firm filed a case against anti-mining leaders and advocates over barricading issues, citing that it immobilizes and disrupts time-sensitive operations.

According to the mining company, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Mines and Geosciences Bureau (DENR – MGB) granted Woggle Corporation’s exploration over 3,101.11 hectares across five barangays in Dupax del Norte in August 2025.

However, representatives from the anti-mining protesters argued that the company’s exploration is “invalid” because there were no official consultations with the affected barangays prior to the exploration.

They further reiterated that the barricades were set up on private lots and properties.

The court, even so, states that the “balance of interest” supports the mine firm, pointing out that the protesters’ action of barricading is an overreach of their rights.

Since earlier this year, local leaders have highlighted the residents’ disapproval of the mining and exploration.