DENR usec who led mining audit resigns

DENR MINING AUDIT PRESS CONFERENCE. Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Gina Lopez and Undersecretary Leo Jasareno show one of the twenty mining firms recommended for suspension during news briefing at the DENR office in Quezon City.INQUIRER PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES

Government efforts to clean up the mining industry will continue even if Senior Environment Undersecretary Leo Jasareno, who led the audit teams that recommended the suspension of 20 mine operators, is now out of the picture, Environment Secretary Gina Lopez said on Wednesday.

Jasareno, director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), resigned recently after President Duterte ordered all appointees of his predecessor, Benigno Aquino III, to vacate their posts.

Last week, Mr. Duterte appointed Wilfredo G. Moncano  acting director IV of the MGB, replacing Jasareno.

Proper policy direction

The Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) yesterday welcomed the appointment of Moncano, saying large-scale miners were confident that he would “set the proper policy direction” for the industry.

Moncano, the MGB said, has taken his oath and assumed his new office while remaining as director of MGB in the Davao region, a post he has been holding since July 30, 2015.

Environment Undersecretary Mario Luis J. Jacinto remains the chief of the MGB, as well as the supervising authority over the Environmental Management Bureau.

When Jacinto was appointed in late July, Lopez said Jasareno—Jacinto’s predecessor at the MGB—would continue to serve as senior undersecretary at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Unabated

But even with Jasareno out, Lopez said the mine audit “goes on, unabated.”

When asked whether she was trying to get another position at the DENR for Jasareno, Lopez said: “I have to meet the President. Leo (Jasareno) has done a splendid job, with integrity and efficiency.”

In a statement issued yesterday, COMP suggested better prospects with Moncano.

“We are looking forward to working with Director Moncano and are confident that he will set the proper policy direction needed to boost the industry,” said COMP vice president Ronald Recidoro.

“Under the strict mandate of the MGB, we are hoping to pour in another $20 billion worth of mining projects into the country’s economy for the next five years,” he said.

“This will have significant positive impact on communities as we implement our social development and management program,” he added.

Recidoro was referring to the SDMP, a requirement imposed on mine operators under the mining law.

Citing data from the MGB, the chamber said P5 billion was committed under

the SDMP of mining firms until 2021.