Date: July 2, 2026
BAGUIO CITY — Philippine Mining Development Corporation (PMDC) President and CEO Job Ambrosio recently met with key government officials in the Cordillera Administrative Region to strengthen coordination and help unify the Indigenous Peoples of Balatoc toward the responsible development of the Batong Buhay Copper-Gold Project in Pasil, Kalinga.
The meetings formed part of PMDC’s continuing efforts to bring together tribal leaders, government agencies, and other stakeholders around a common objective: to enable the project to move forward in a manner that protects the rights of the Indigenous Peoples of Balatoc and ensures that they meaningfully benefit from the project as its intended operators and partners.
PMDC first met with National Commission on Indigenous Peoples–Cordillera Administrative Region Regional Director Atty. Atanacio D. Addog and Atty. Wilson Kalangeg. The discussion focused on the need to strengthen dialogue among the concerned tribal leaders, address divisions within the community, and support a unified approach that will allow the Balatoc Indigenous Cultural Community to participate fully and directly in the project’s future development.
PMDC also met with Environmental Management Bureau–CAR Regional Director Engr. Jean Borromeo and Atty.-Engr. Lowell G. Barton Jr. The parties discussed the importance of ensuring that any mineral processing plants that may operate in the area are properly licensed and strictly comply with environmental baseline requirements, permits, monitoring standards, and all applicable environmental laws and regulations.
In a separate meeting with DENR-CAR Regional Executive Director Engr. Paquito T. Moreno, Jr., PMDC provided an update on the status of the Batong Buhay project, including its continuing stakeholder engagement, coordination with concerned agencies, and efforts to establish a clear path toward responsible project development.
PMDC likewise met with MGB-CAR Regional Director Socrates G. Gaerlan to discuss how small-scale miners may be integrated into the project in a manner that protects their legitimate interests while promoting an orderly and responsible partnership with large-scale mining operations. The discussion recognized the need for a practical framework that supports local miners, improves safety and regulatory compliance, and allows the community to benefit from the project’s development.
President Ambrosio emphasized that PMDC’s priority is to build unity among the Indigenous Peoples of Balatoc and ensure that the project becomes a source of long-term opportunity for the community.
“PMDC wants the Batong Buhay project to move forward with the Indigenous Peoples of Balatoc at the center,” Ambrosio said. “Our objective is to help unify the community, protect its rights and interests, and establish a project that creates meaningful benefits while complying with all environmental, mining, and social safeguards.”
PMDC will continue working closely with the Indigenous Peoples of Balatoc, local miners, and concerned government agencies to build consensus and support the responsible, inclusive, and sustainable development of the Batong Buhay project.