Mining to stay but under tighter rules

By: Ronnel W. Domingo 12:28 AM August 24th, 2016
http://business.inquirer.net/213971/mining-to-stay-but-under-tighter-rules

Mining is bound to carry on in the Philippines as many companies, especially those that are publicly listed, have no choice but to follow regulations and industry standards, according to Sen. Cynthia Villar.

Villar, chair of the Senate committee on environment and natural resources, Tuesday said the only thing that made mining questionable was the environmental impact.

“I don’t think companies don’t take care of their environment, but maybe there is confusion because there are many illegal mines in the country,” she said in an interview.

“We should draw the difference, and this should show in the review of the mines,” she added.

Villar was also keynote speaker in the opening ceremony of the annual Mining Philippine conference organized by the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP).

She told the forum that striking a sustainable balance between economic gains and environmental protection was crucial—thus, the emphasis on mining companies’ compliance with strict standards.

“What is important is that all sectors and stakeholders are consulted and that the decision will ultimately be beneficial to the country,” she said.

“The government, as in most instances, should of course do a balancing act—encourage investors by putting in place the right business environment and, at the same time, be vigilant against abuses,” she added.

Quoting an earlier pronouncement of President Duterte, Villar said mining must be done right. “If you can’t do it right, get out,” she told the COMP, the members of which are large-scale operators.

Even then, she expressed surprise that with “so little” evidence, big mining firms were being blamed for environmental degradation.

“You and the illegal miners should be differentiated so that you would not be blamed,” Villar said.

COMP president Benjamin Philip G. Romualdez said the chamber’s members were committed to work with the Duterte administration in raising the standards for all operating large-scale metallic mines.

“We view the President’s appointment of a trusted friend and ally as DENR undersecretary with charge over the Mines and Geosciences Bureau and the Environmental Management Bureau as a recognition of the mining industry’s tremendous impacts and its potential to contribute greatly to the country’s economy,” Romualdez said.

He was referring to Mario Luis Jacinto, who worked for many years at the Davao City Hall with Mr. Duterte as mayor, and also with difference mining companies as consultant.

The President earlier described mining, along with logging activities, as an industry that was past its time.

“We in the COMP remain optimistic that will be able to overcome,” Romualdez said. “We are kept afloat by our firm belief that mining will one day achieve its full potential to contribute in a much bigger way to our nation’s socioeconomic growth.”