Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Gina Lopez. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES
Over 1.2 million workers will lose their jobs following the closure of 23 large-scale mining firms as ordered by Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Sec. Gina Lopez, according to the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP).
COMP Chairman Artmio Disini on Friday condemned the order, saying they plan to appeal first to President Rodrigo Duterte “before going to the courts,” Radyo Inquirer reported.
Lopez on Thursday ordered the closure of 23 mining operations mainly for ruining bodies of water because of “indiscriminate mining,” and suspension of five mines. Her announcement was the pinnacle of the DENR’s mining audit covering all 40 large-scale mines operating in the country.
READ: DENR shuts down 23 mining areas
COMP Vice President for Legal and Policy Ronald Recidoro said the DENR’s audit on mining companies did not undergo due process.
Recidoro said the DENR should have told the companies first about the case to give them a chance to address the issue. He explained that if there is a dispute, companies may take it to arbitration, courts or Pollution Adjudication.
One side cannot just simply end the contract, Recidoro added. RAM