By
Jonathan L. Mayuga - January 25, 2017
Mining’s big players
under the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) continue to hold on to
President Duterte’s promise to weed out irresponsible mining while helping the
industry grow to achieve its full economic potential through responsible
mining.
This, as the Department
of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is set to announce the final
mine-audit results on February 2.
The fate of 30 mining
companies that failed the initial audit conducted by the DENR last year hangs
in the balance, as the DENR tightens the screw on mining through a strict audit
criteria that includes environmental, biodiversity and social considerations.
Ronald Recidoro, vice
president of COMP, said this is the meat of the message delivered by
Environment Undersecretary and Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Director
Mario Luis Jacinto during the Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corp.
(Jogmec) seminar on sustainable development of mineral resources at the New
World Hotel in Makati City last Monday.
To recall, barely one
week after she assumed office on July 1, Environment Secretary Regina Paz L.
Lopez immediately ordered a review of all 41 operating metallic mines in the
country.
Based on the initial
results released last September 27, only 11 mining companies “passed” the
audit, with 10 mining operations slapped with suspension and 20 others facing
possible suspension failing to meet environmental standards.
Among the major
findings of the team were violations of the terms and conditions of the
environmental compliance certificate (ECC) and Department Administrative Order
(DAO) 2010-21, or the revised implementing rules and regulations of Republic
Act (RA) 7942, otherwise known as the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, and DAO
200-98, which refers to Mine Safety and Health Standard.
On the other hand, as
part of an ongoing audit of ECCs, the DENR had ordered the cancellation of at
least 11 ECCs for various mining projects that Lopez deemed as potentially
destructive to the environment and will cause people to suffer.
The DENR chief, a
passionate biodiversity advocate, is a known critic of large-scale
mining. She vowed to come up with the result of the mining audit by the
end of the month.
She said the DENR,
headed by mining audit head and Mining and Geosciences Board Assistant Director
Danilo Uykieng, is currently evaluating the reply and responses of the mining
companies to the show-cause orders.
During his brief talk,
Jacinto, a geologist and a consultant to several mining companies prior to
being appointed by President Duterte, assured stakeholders and investors of the
government support, despite the feeling of uncertainty hounding the mining
industry.
“What the good DENR
official wants to tell the industry is that President Duterte remains committed
to responsible mining,” Recidoro said.
No other DENR official,
he added, understands the language of the minerals development sector better
than Jacinto because of his experience as MGB official and consultant to mining
companies in Mindanao for decades.
“For me, his assurance
that only responsible mining will be allowed under the Duterte administration
is very much welcome,” Recidoro said.
He noted that Jacinto,
during an earlier meeting with businessmen in Davao City last November,
set four major criteria for mining to be allowed.
The criteria, which
calls for mining projects to be environmentally, technically, financially and
socially sound, only means that the government is serious in helping the
industry grow and contribute to economic growth and development, Recidoro said.
Speaking during the
Jogmec seminar, Jacinto stressed Duterte is keen on having all industries
contribute to the country’s development.
Guided by “real change
with compassion”, Jacinto said, “for a genuine and meaningful change in mineral
resources development, the President has given these marching orders for the
mineral industry: ensure responsible mining; adopt the best internationally
accepted practices; and maximize the benefit for the people and the communities
in all possible ways.”
The MGB official
reiterated that under the Duterte administration, “responsible miners have
nothing to fear”.
“The challenge is to
squarely address legitimate concerns; provide proper information to have a
shared perspective of development options, and patiently reason with oppositors
to set aside unreasonable demands,” Jacinto said.
He added that host
communities must be involved in environmental protection and enhancement
programs—and must also have a sense of ownership of the social-development
plans in their respective communities.
Jacinto also assured
investors of an environment conducive for business with government fighting
crime, stopping corruption and working toward lasting peace.
According to
Jacinto,the government will study policies to best position the country
in the world minerals, market while information sharing with the industry
stakeholders will be pursued at every opportunity.
“Geological maps and
reports, geohazard maps and studies, and watershed maps already available will
be provided to and analyzed with industry partners to have a common
appreciation of the areas with potential for development and identify the
elements at risk in the different areas,” he said.
Jacinto said the mining
industry will continue to be a potent force in nation-building if coupled with
a commitment to do things right and make responsible mining a way of life.
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