By Rhodina Villanueva (The
Philippine Star) | Updated February 18, 2017 - 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines - Environment
Secretary Gina Lopez yesterday responded to the threats of mining firms
affected by her closure order against mines that destroy mountains and
watersheds, saying she will keep her stand as “the quality of life” is more
important.
She also clarified that she is not
anti-mining, she has followed due process and she is willing to work with
mining companies that passed the audit.
Lopez’s statement came after some
mining firms said they are looking at possible graft charges against Lopez for
the alleged lack of due process in her order to close 28 operations and cancel
75 mining contracts.
The mining sector also claimed
Lopez’s order would result in massive job loss, and warned that it could affect
her confirmation at the Commission on Appointments (CA).
But Lopez said she does not just
stop at issuing closure orders for erring mining firms because the Department
of Environment (DENR) has a plan of investing in a “green economy” and help
poor people to be productive.
She also explained why the DENR
cancelled 75 contracts.
“With regards the recent
cancellation of the 75 Mineral Production Sharing Agreements, we first issued
show cause orders for the companies to explain why their MPSA should not be
cancelled on a watershed, which is critical for the welfare of the people. If
you don’t reply, then we take action. If you reply, then we will investigate,”
she said.
Lopez maintained that she is just
doing her job and vowed to stand by her decision.
“I’ll do my duty. I really feel
there should be no mining in watersheds. The quality of life of the people is
more important than the money they make. I’ll keep my stand. Let them do what
they want to do,” she said in response to the reports that mining firms are set
to block her confirmation at the CA.
“Those who would want to see the
(audit) report, they can come to the office and see it. I even have the files,
which we gave the mining companies. The whole process took seven months. I
followed due process,” she added.
Lopez also said mining firms that
failed the audit can appeal her decision before the Office of the President.
“These firms should not be operating
unless they appeal the decision. The closure becomes final when the President
says it is,” she added.
President Duterte said he chose to
appoint Lopez as she shares his stand on responsible mining and environment
conservation.
Lopez also said that the DENR can
help mining firms in putting to good use their Social Development and
Management Program (SDMP) for it to become beneficial to a wider sector.
SDMP is a comprehensive five-year
plan of the contractor/permit holder/lessee authorized to conduct actual mining
and milling operations towards the sustained improvement in the living
standards of the host and neighboring communities by creating responsible,
self-reliant and resource-based communities capable of developing, implementing
and managing community development programs in a manner consistent with the
principle of people empowerment.
“There is an SDMP fund. But instead
of giving it to the host community only, the money – with the help of the
DENR, the mining company and stakeholders – can be used in such a way that the
area becomes productive,” Lopez said.
“With my expertise and background on
development, we can replicate the projects I’ve helped implement before,
wherein with a start-up fund of P1 million, we were able to make it
grow and target communities are now earning P30 million a year,” she added.
Leftist lawmakers yesterday
expressed support for the decision Lopez to close mines that destroy mountains
and watersheds and pollute rivers. – With Jess Diaz
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