Jessica Soho, inimbestigahan ang isyu sa pagmimina sa Homonhon Island | Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho

Homonhon Island, in Eastern Samar, site of Ferdinand Magellan's 1521 landing, is rich in natural resources, including calamansi (Philippine lime) and minerals like nickel and chromite. However, residents fear the island is disappearing due to extensive mining, turning its clear waters into mud and affecting their health and livelihoods, especially their valuable calamansi crops.

The reporter journeys to Homonhon Island, a three-hour boat ride from Guiuan, to investigate the issues. Homonhon is historically significant as Magellan's first landfall in the Philippines, described by chronicler Pigafetta as lush with trees, and known for its hospitable natives. Today, even historical markers are surrounded by mud from mining.

Eighty percent of Homonhon Island's eight barangays are affected by mining. Calamansi farmers, like Mang Lito, depend on their crops for generations, proud of their juicy calamansi, which is now threatened by mining dust. This dust not only damages crops but also affects residents' health and puts an end to traditional farming practices.

Drone footage reveals the vast scale of mining operations, with enormous open pits and stockpiles of mineral-rich soil shipped to China. While mining generates significant revenue and provides jobs, locals question the true progress given the lack of clean water, limited electricity, and declining fish catch. Local barangay officials, like Kagawad Jonito, are actively protesting against mining companies encroaching on their areas without proper permits or community consultation.

Residents near mining sites, including students from the island's only high school, suffer from respiratory illnesses due to dust exposure. Loud noises from heavy equipment disrupt classes, and muddy waters affect marine life and coastal areas. Fishermen report significantly reduced catches, and the island's once-pristine beaches are now covered in mud.

The Diocese of Borongan and environmental advocates, like Homonhon Environmental Advocates and Rights Defenders (HEARD), support the residents' call to stop mining operations. They argue that the promised development is not evident, with poor infrastructure and lack of basic services persisting despite years of mining. They question the government's issuance of permits despite numerous complaints and the lack of visible rehabilitation efforts after mining.

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) inspects alleged boundary violations by mining companies. Guiuan Mayor, Annaliza Gonzales-Kwan, expresses her disapproval of mining in specific barangays, advocating for agricultural and agro-industrial development and recommending suspension for violating companies. Mount Sinai Mining and Nickel Ace Incorporated, two mining companies, claim their operations are legal and that they comply with government regulations, emphasizing their role in local development and rehabilitation efforts.

Following resident protests, one mining company, Emir Mineral Resources Corporation, temporarily suspends operations in the contested area. The video concludes with the plea to prioritize Homonhon's historical and environmental significance over mining. Residents assert that the island's true wealth lies not in extracted minerals but in its lush natural resources, emphasizing their resolve to protect what remains for future generations.