Small-scale miners in Barangay Mat-i, Surigao City complained about the arbitrary suspension of their main source of livelihood. Residents said that the local government, soldiers, and police said that the suspension to small-scale mining is temporary but did not give a clear explanation.

“It is so difficult… how will we buy our children’s notebooks and school supplies in time of the enrollment?” a resident declared in Bisaya. He said it is disappointing that local people and barangay residents are being deprived of their livelihood.

The resident also shared rumors that a large-scale mining operation managed by big corporations will soon take over the area. “What will happen to us?” the resident asked.

Residents do not know the future of their incomes as almost everyone in Barangay Mat-i depends only on small-scale mining.

Miners in the barangay used to be members of the Nagkahiusang Gagmayng Minero (NAGAMI), an organization of small miners defending their welfare and rights. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) disbanded the group and established a new organization and placed it under its control.

The military has controlled the new organization since November 2020, after killing a NAGAMI leader right inside Barangay Mat-i. The AFP terrorized, harassed, and “forced the surrender” of civilian miners hence.

Residents said the government easily harasses or arrests small miners with accusations of breaking the law, but it allows big mining companies to exploit and destroy the environment in the province.

In February 2024, a big company’s illegal mining in the barangay and neighboring Barangay Mabini was reported. Residents said they saw some people identified as Chinese running the operation.

The company operated without a permit before the local government discovered and ordered the company to stop its operations in late 2024. Illegal mining left massive damage to the mountains and the environment. It also worsened flooding and landslides in the communities.