Miners obeying laws need not worry–Duterte

PRESIDENT Duterte  on Monday assured mining companies that comply with current laws on mineral extraction that they need not fret.

In his first State of the Nation Address (Sona)  on Monday, Mr. Duterte outlined his administration’s policies on mining, even as he expressed full support for Environment Secretary Gina Lopez, a known antimining activist whose family owns broadcast giant ABS-CBN and the Energy Development Corp. (EDC), the country’s largest geothermal company.

Calling her a “crusader,” the President disclosed that the appointment of Lopez as head of the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) was met by complaints.

“(Lopez) and I share the same paradigm; the interest of the country must come first,” the President said, drawing applause from the audience.

“I have to protect the country… There’s a law allowing mining. Gina Lopez and I are just telling you to follow government standards. Don’t destroy the environment. Follow it to a T and we’ll have no problem,” he said.

He said he had directed Lopez to look into all the permits covering mining, logging and other “environmentally sensitive activities to ensure compliance with government standards and, if warranted, to amend, suspend or revoke permits.”

The President said he had also ordered the military to play a bigger role in the government’s campaign against illegal logging, illegal mining and environmentally destructive activities.

Mr. Duterte also gave this piece of advice to those applying for mining permits from Lopez: Just smile and do not frown.

“She’s a crusader and she will continue (to be one),” he said.

The Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP)  on Monday expressed support for President Duterte’s thrust against irresponsible miners, convinced that none of its members are at fault.

In a statement, the COMP reiterated that its members had always followed standards.

“COMP members have in the past and will continue to abide by government and international standards,” the industry group said.

Earlier, COMP executive vice president Nelia C. Halcon said that of the 42 companies named by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau that had not secured certification for ISO 14001—an internationally recognized standard relating to environmental management—only half or 21 were members of COMP.

In Southern Tagalog, environmental groups urged President Duterte to revoke mining permits issued in places tagged as key biodiversity areas.

 ‘Understands our plight’

“Here’s a President who truly understands the plight of the environment and communities,” said environmental activist Rodne Galicha.

Galicha is the country manager of The Climate Reality Project and head of the nongovernment organization Bayay Sibuyanon in Romblon province.

“(But) while suspending mining permits due to violation of the laws and policies, we challenge the administration to automatically revoke mining permits in areas not yet destroyed, such as Sibuyan Island and other fragile island ecosystems,” Galicha said.

In a separate statement, green group EcoWaste Coalition lauded Duterte’s “clear stance” against illegal logging, mining and other destructive practices, but “we cannot help but ask him to seriously rethink his endorsement of waste-to-energy technologies to deal with the country’s  trash problem.”

“We hope to dialogue with him and  Lopez to discuss sustainable,  cost-effective and job-creating options for managing our discards without incinerating them and discharging toxic pollutants, including hazardous ash, in the process,” said Aileen Lucero, coordinator, EcoWaste Coalition. With reports from Maricar Cinco, Inquirer Southern Luzon; Jaymee T. Gamil, Manila