Militant legislator hails Davao’s no-mining policy

DAVAO CITY, Philippines—Bayan Muna Representative Teddy Casiño on Tuesday lauded Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte and the Sangguniang Panlungsod (city council) for their efforts to declare the sprawling city and surrounding countryside a no-mining zone.

“I commend Mayor Duterte and the City Council of Davao for taking this bold step for the environment. Not all local officials have the guts to go against the rich and powerful mining companies,” Casiño said.

He said the proposed ordinance, which passed initial reading and is being reviewed by the council’s committee on environment, showed the local officials’ “political will” to uphold the interest of the environment and their constituents despite pressure from and intense lobbying by mining companies.

Once the ordinance is approved, Davao City will a growing number of towns and provinces that have passed legislation banning mining operations in their respective jurisdictions:  Capiz, Marinduque, Palawan, Romblon, Negros Occidental, Eastern Samar, South Cotabato and Zamboanga del Norte.

“The communities in host provinces are the ones directly affected by mining operations and therefore have the right to be heard,” said Casiño, who authored House Bill 4726, which seeks to close to mining operations areas declared by local government units  as “no-mining zones.”

“While mining is recognized as one of the main contributors to the country’s gross domestic product, there is a growing resistance to large-scale mining in the areas where these mining firms operate,” he said.

Casiño said he expected mining investors to back off because of the city’s efforts to ban mining as “their business interest will be affected.”

“However, we should prioritize the interest of the people and the preservation of the environment,” Casiño said.