Gina Lopez: Decisions not dependent on stock prices

Environment Secretary Gina Lopez INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA

Environment Secretary Gina Lopez warned mining executives about the destructive impact of their operations when she met with them for the first time on Thursday since announcing that 30 of 41 mining projects face suspension for failing an environmental audit.

Lopez tapped presidential peace adviser Jesus Dureza, De La Salle University marine ecology professor Al Licuanan and environmentalist Philip Camara to lecture on marine degradation and socioeconomic fallout from mining operations during a two-hour meeting at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Quezon City.

“At the end of the day, I cannot make a decision based on stock prices,” Lopez was quoted by the DENR as saying during the meeting, which was off limits to media.

Lopez reiterated her argument against destructive mining and spoke of “total economic valuation” to gauge the environmental impact of mining.

“I have no problem if you make money, unless you silt the river or make the people sick,” she said.

Lopez challenged the mining executives to invest in an “area development program” at their mining sites, saying that 82 percent of the profit, would go to the mining companies.

“What if you invest your SDMP (Social Development and Management Program) in area development that goes on even when you’re gone?” she asked.

Speaking in a conciliatory tone, Lopez said the DENR would help mining firms, especially those facing suspension, to comply with standards and regulations.

But she said mining operations that failed the DENR audit would be suspended “if the problems remain.”

Environment Undersecretary Leo Jasareno, who previously headed the Mining and Geosciences Bureau, said the mining companies were reminded to take an “integrated development approach.”

He said mining companies should extend help to affected communities and not just make them go on the dole.

Of 41 mining operations audited, the DENR said only 11 complied with environmental standards.

The agency earlier suspended 10 mining operations and recently recommended the suspension of 20 more, which were given seven days to answer and say why they should not be suspended.

“Those recommended for suspension should submit an explanation and we’ll see what will happen after that,” Jasareno said.