President Rodrigo Duterte vowed to solve the mining impasse and talk with industry players to discuss the impact of mining on the environment.
“I will institute the reforms after all my troubles in Marawi—I have to solve the mining impasse. I’m warning the rich … I’m seeing the destruction,” Duterte said.
“One of these days, I will call on the rich and the poor. They will just listen. What do they think of here? The fields are destroyed, how will they survive? But they kept on extracting [minerals]. And how… It’s only five percent. Taxes? We get about 70 billion a year and that’s it,” he added.
Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu earlier said his department expects to release by the end of July the results of the assessment of the appeal made by mining companies which former Environment secretary Regina Lopez shut down.
Lopez had ordered a review on the operations of all operating metallic mines in the country.
Following the audit, the former Environment chief announced that 23 mining operations would be up for closure and five more would be suspended.
Twelve mining companies passed the audit. Lopez also announced that the government would cancel the mining contracts of 75 mining projects which were found within or near watersheds. She also ordered a ban on prospective open-pit mines.
Mining companies, however, questioned the decision and filed their appeal with the Environment Department, but some companies opted to file their appeal with the Office of the President.
Duterte suggested that the rich could pay for the damages done to the environment. “Kung gusto ninyo, kayong mga mayaman, bayaran ninyo sila sa perdition nila. So if he has lost 100,000 hectare, tutal mayaman man ‘yang mining, bayaran mo. Tapos taniman mo ng kahoy, kay ‘pag hindi ‘yan taniman ng kahoy, ‘yang ulo ninyo ang putulin ko ilagay ko sa—‘yan ang itanim ko doon,” he said, eliciting laughter from the audience.
“There are so many injustices here that we have to correct. But just give me time,” he added.
Meanwhile, in a bid to address the many challenges faced by mining in the Philippines, and to map a way forward to ensure mining’s future growth and contribution to the economy, the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines, the lead association of large-scale miners in the country, will dedicate its 17th Mining Philippines International Conference and Exhibition for this industry-wide discussion.
The conference, which is slated on Sept. 5-7 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel Manila, will highlight the many responsible mining practices already being practiced by mining companies throughout the country.
Experts in the fields of economics, engineering, environmental protection, and social development will come together to discuss the country’s policy environment and come up with recommendations that will have as it’s overriding goal a strong, vibrant and responsible mining industry. A call will also be made for government to provide a steadying hand and provide the all-essential policy direction.
“If the local mining industry is to maintain an upward trajectory, it must be fueled by regulatory consistency. Stability and consistency in policies, laws and regulations are crucial to attracting and keeping investments intact and flowing,” said Artemio Disini, Chairman of the Chamber of Mines.
“Government must also rationalize its investment and fiscal initiatives, to not only keep the country competitive with other well-mineralized countries, but also ensure a fair and equitable sharing of the benefits from the country’s natural resources,” Disini added.
Despite the country’s much-vaunted mineral potential and sizeable investor interest in mining in the Philippines, the DENR and MGB have withheld further action on pending applications for MPSAs and FTAAs pursuant to the President’s directive under EO No. 79.