By: Arlene Lim, INQUIRER.net, April 21, 2026, MANILA, Philippines —Thirty years after the toxic mine tailings spill in the rivers of Boac and other towns in Marinduque, the Canada-based Barrick Gold Corporation has now deposited $50 million dollars in an escrow account for the rehabilitation of the abandoned mine site.
This move was confirmed by former Marinduque Governor Presbitero Velasco. The amount is equivalent to 50 percent of the settlement, and it translates to nearly P3 billion. The money constitutes half of the $100-million settlement fund, which is total of nearly P6 billion.
The initial $50-million payment is based on the schedule of payment stipulated in the Settlement Agreement with Marinduque, approved with finality by the Court of Appeals (CA).
The remaining 50 percent, equivalent to another nearly P3 billion, will be paid to the province in 3 tranches in 3 years.
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The Settlement Agreement stemmed out of a Writ of Kalikasan case filed by petitioners Eliza Hernandez, Godofredo Manoy and Mamerto Lanete.
They received guidance from Marinduque Council for Environmental Concerns (MACEC).
Article continues after this advertisementMACEC got a morale boost when the provincial government of Marinduque came in as an intervenor, under the leadership of Velasco, a former Supreme Court associate justice.
“This is the result of 3 years of internal work. We want to rehabilitate the abandoned mining site,” Velasco said.
“We want to eliminate the serious risks such as toxic contamination and floodings that the affected communities continue to face,” he pointed out.
“This development represents the Marinduquenos’ victory in the struggle for enviromental justice,” Sanggguniang Panlalawigan Board Member Ishmael Lim emphasized.
Toxic mine tailing spill caused by the operations of Marcopper Mining Corporation in 1996 brought destruction to many areas, including the rivers of Boac town.
Even before the catastrophe, heavy damage were already seen in Mogpog river and in the waters of Calancan Bay in Sta. Cruz, Marinduque.
Barrick Gold Corporation acquired Placer Dome in 2006, which was a major stakeholder in Marcopper.
The provincial government was represented by SEDA Law Office when the Settlement Agreement came about.
A separate case seeking P11-billion pesos in compensation for the environmental havoc was also filed by the provincial goverment of Marinduque against Marcopper during the term of Velasco.
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Inquirer is seeking the side of Marcopper on this story and will post it once it becomes available. /apl
CSOs 4 Tailings Justice 
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