(The Philippine Star) | Updated January 8, 2017 - 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines –
Non-government organization Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) is urging the government
to endorse the passage of a new mining law that seeks to embody the
administration’s thrust of responsible mining in the country.
ATM national
coordinator Jaybee Garganera is hoping to get the endorsement of President
Duterte and Environment Secretary Gina Lopez on the passage of the Alternative
Minerals Management Bill (AMMB).
“We are asking two
things from Secretary Lopez, one is to issue an official statement (of the
DENR) endorsing the bill and her presence in committee hearings,” Garganera
told The STAR.
ATM said there is an
urgent need to pass a new law as issues concerning mining stem from a “flawed
and incorrect” law, which is the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.
The group is also
recommending the inclusion of the bill in the Philippine Development Plan (PDP)
to be crafted by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
“It is a huge thing if
the executive (Duterte) itself will issue a statement, and if it will be
included in the legislative agenda plus the endorsement of Secretary Lopez,” he
said.
The bill, which was
crafted with the help of different advocates, is anchored on land and natural
resources management and human rights-based approach. It aims to regulate
the rational exploration, development and utilization of mineral resources and
ensure the equitable sharing of benefits for the state, indigenous peoples and
local communities.
Ifugao Rep. Teddy
Baguilat, one of the proponents of House Bill 113 or the Lower House version of
the AMMB, earlier said there was a need to change the government’s policies if
Lopez would want to implement changes in the mining industry.
The AMMB is centered on
human rights as a major consideration in the issuance of mining permits. It
will also include provisions on the formation of a multi-sectoral council to
process permits, as well as areas considered as “no go mining zones,” among
others.
The bill also pushes
for a strategic and rationalized minerals management plan anchored towards the
country’s industrialization roadmap.
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