House Deputy Minority Leader and Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Representative Leila de Lima has called on the House of Representatives to conduct an investigation into the alleged questionable mining exploration activities of Woggle Corporation in Dupax del Norte, Nueva Vizcaya.
In House Resolution No. 413, de Lima emphasized the need for Congress to exercise its oversight and legislative powers to ensure strict compliance with existing environmental, mining, and local governance laws, in order to protect both the environment and affected communities.
According to de Lima, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Mines and Geosciences Bureau (DENR-MGB) granted Woggle Corporation—an affiliate of FCF Minerals Corporation—an exploration license in August 2025. The permit covers roughly 3,100 hectares of land in Dupax del Norte, believed to contain gold and copper deposits.
However, several barangays in the area, including Oyao, Bitnong, Inaban, and Munguia, have passed resolutions opposing the exploration. Their stance was later supported by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Nueva Vizcaya, which adopted Resolution No. 2025-5734 on August 18, 2025, urging the DENR-MGB to revoke Woggle Corporation’s permit for alleged violations of environmental and procedural regulations.
Despite these objections, the Nueva Vizcaya Regional Trial Court Branch 30 issued a resolution on October 10, 2025, favoring Woggle Corporation.
Under the court’s order, the Philippine National Police (PNP) was directed to enforce the temporary restraining order (TRO) and arrest individuals attempting to obstruct its implementation.
de Lima, who also served as former Senator and Secretary of the Department of Justice (DOJ) stressed that the situation underscores the urgent need for legislative inquiry to ensure that mining operations adhere to ethical, legal, and environmental standards that safeguard public welfare.