Date: August 11, 2026
ILIGAN CITY, August 11, 2026 — A traditional Indigenous ritual marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Rogongon Copper-Gold Exploration Project in Barangay Rogongon, Iligan City, underscoring the importance of culture, respect for ancestral traditions, and meaningful partnership in responsible mineral exploration.
Held with the participation of Higaonon Indigenous Peoples, community leaders, project representatives, and the NCIP, the ritual served as a significant cultural gesture before the commencement of exploration activities within the area.
More than a ceremonial activity, the ritual reflected the Higaonon community’s deep connection to their ancestral land and their customary practice of seeking guidance, protection, and harmony before undertaking activities that may affect the land and its resources.
The gathering brought together the community and project stakeholders in an atmosphere of dialogue, respect, and solidarity. Higaonon elders and community representatives led the traditional observance, while participants respectfully witnessed and joined the proceedings.
For the Philippine Mining Development Corporation (PMDC), the occasion represents an important step in advancing exploration while recognizing that responsible mining begins not only with technical and regulatory requirements, but also with respect for Indigenous culture, ancestral domains, and the communities who have cared for these lands for generations.
The activity also follows the issuance of the Certification Precondition (CP) by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) for the Rogongon Copper-Gold Exploration Project, signifying an important milestone in the project’s compliance with the rights and interests of Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples.
PMDC is undertaking the exploration initiative in partnership with Rogongon Resources, Inc., its Financier Service Provider (FSP) partner. The ritual therefore carries a message beyond the ceremony itself: the exploration begins with respect—for the land, for the people, and for the culture that gives the land its meaning.
For the ICCs/IPs of Rogongon, this marks not simply the start of an exploration program, but the beginning of a shared journey toward understanding the area’s mineral potential while protecting the values, traditions, and aspirations of its Indigenous community.
