Tension is rising again in the farming town of McArthur, Leyte after residents reported that the massive mining dredger previously promised to be withdrawn may instead be quietly transported to the mining site, this time in pieces.
The controversy centers on a nearly 2,000-ton cutter suction dredger owned by MacArthur Iron Projects Corporation (MIPC), intended for magnetite or “black sand” extraction in Barangay Maya.
The dredger had earlier triggered protests from farmers and fisherfolk who fear its use signals the expansion of mining operations in their community.
Following weeks of mounting pressure, including a human barricade staged by residents, MIPC publicly announced in February that it would withdraw the giant dredger and re-evaluate its work plan in order to prevent further escalation of tensions.
But locals now claim the story may not end there.
Residents near the site said workers have begun dismantling the massive dredging vessel, fueling suspicions that the company may be transporting its components separately toward the mining area.
“People thought the dredger was already being pulled out,” said one farmer who has joined nightly protest vigils.
“But now we’re seeing parts being taken apart. Trucks are moving, and people are worried the dredger will simply be reassembled once it reaches the site.”
The dredger had earlier been moved about 650 meters inland from the shoreline into an agricultural area, a move that already alarmed residents who said the equipment appeared in the middle of rice fields and coconut groves.
Locals argue that bringing the dredger to the site,whether whole or in pieces, would mark the effective start of large-scale magnetite mining in the town.
Farmers claim previous mining activities have already caused damage to irrigation systems and farmland.
Some said rice yields in certain areas dropped dramatically, with harvests falling from about 500 sacks to fewer than 200 sacks after earlier operations allegedly affected soil quality and irrigation.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) in Eastern Visayas has also warned that mining in the area could lead to loss of topsoil, water contamination, coastal erosion, and long-term degradation of agricultural lands if not properly managed.
Meanwhile, the mining company maintains that its project could generate over ₱100 million annually in taxes and regulatory fees while creating jobs and stimulating local economic activity.
For many residents, however, the alleged dismantling of the dredger has only deepened distrust.
“What worries us is the possibility that the promise to remove the dredger was only temporary,” said one protest leader.
“If the equipment is quietly brought to the mining site piece by piece, then the people of MacArthur were misled.”
As of press time, the company has not issued a new public explanation regarding reports of the dredger’s dismantling and alleged transport.
With protesters still monitoring the area and local leaders seeking clarification, the quiet town of MacArthur once again finds itself at the center of a growing battle over mining, livelihoods, and trust.
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