Mining firms not exempted from logging ban

MANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino did not grant any new exemption from the total log ban other than what was spelled out in Executive Order No. 23, the head of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau said Saturday, allaying fears that the mining industry had been exempted from the ban.

EO 23 declares a moratorium on the cutting and harvesting of timber in natural and residual forests.

MGB head Leo Jasareno said Malacañang did not exempt the mining industry from the total log ban, but merely clarified which current projects of certain mining companies were exempted from it.

In Malacañang’s clarification, the projects of six companies, including OceanaGold Corp., Riotuba Nickel Mining Corp., FCF Minerals Corp., were exempted. The companies sought the clarification after their application for tree-cutting permit was disapproved by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, he said.

“To be fair to everyone, Malacañang did not give new exemptions. What it issued is a clarification as to what are exempted from EO 23. Projects with environmental mitigation measures are not covered by the ban,’’ he said in an interview, referring to projects with environmental protection and enhancement program.

The six were among 30 metallic mines operating in the country, according to Jasareno.

Jasareno had been quoted as saying at a mining conference in Baguio City that Aquino exempted the mining industry from the log ban in exchange for its participation in the National Greening Program, which entails the planting of 1.5 billion trees from 2011 to 2016.

The pronouncement raised a furor among environmentalists and anti-mining activists, who warned that this would lead to the fast deforestation of the country’s remaining forests and reverse the intent of EO 23.

EO 23 prohibits DENR from issuing logging contracts in all natural and residual forests, such as Integrated Forest Management Agreements, Socialized Integrated Forest Management Agreements, Community-Based Forest Management Agreement and other agreements with logging components.

It also bars the DENR from issuing or renewing tree-cutting permits in all natural and residual forests nationwide, except for clearing of road right of way by the public works department, site preparation for tree plantations, silvicultural treatment and similar activities.