The Mindoro Youth for Environment and Nation (MYEN) strongly condemned the dredging of Ovada Philippines Inc. in Barangay Iriron, Calintaan, Occidental Mindoro, which is being carried out as “Nagapi River maintenance and restoration” and as a “flood control project.” According to the group, the affected communities were not consulted about the project.

Two dredging vessels arrived on February 2 off the coast of Barangay Calintaan, alarming the residents. They said they only learned about the planned excavation of the river from a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) letter presented on February 3, informing them of Ovada’s sand testing activities. Worse, the letter was given only six hours before the operation began. Residents doubted the company’s claim that it was merely conducting tests, as it was already extracting large volumes of sand from the shore.

Residents protested on February 4 against the dredging. The barangay and local government said they were unaware of a dredging operation in the area, and the company’s formal notice came only after it had already begun. The protest prompted the PCG to order halting the ships’ operations. Residents held a peace rally on February 6 at the Calintaan municipal hall to denounce the destruction of their coastal community.

Documents obtained by residents indicate that the PCG issued a notice on January 26 that San Miguel Aerocity Inc.—a company owned by San Miguel Corporation—would conduct investigation and testing operations from January 26 to February 6 to assess possible sand extraction sites along the Nagapi River.

Provincial Governor Ed Gadiano denied the incident. He claimed it was not dredging but only test sampling to measure sediment buildup at the mouth of the river, which allegedly followed due process. However, Calintaan Mayor Atty. Eric Labrador said his office did not issue any permit for dredging or a river restoration project along the town’s coast or river.

On February 11, Calintaan councilors and Vice Mayor Jayduff Labrador filed a resolution to immediately suspend the dredging because of its environmental and ecological impact. The resolution stated that the company’s operation center was only a few meters from the barangay shoreline, within 1.5 kilometers of the municipal waters. The area is also adjacent to two protected zones of the municipality—Batao-Tabao and Luli Island. It is also a nesting and breeding site for the endangered pawikan (a sea turtle species).

Dredging operations across the entire province have been suspended since August 2025 following widespread condemnation and the severe effects on the environment and the people’s livelihood.