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ENVIRONMENT and Natural Resources Secretary Angelo Reyes
on Monday ordered the transfer of the disposition of
cancelled mining permits to the Philippine Mining
Development Corp. (PMDC), a corporate arm of the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
With the
move, Reyes hopes to further boost the mining sector
with the reopening of 68,625 hectares of mineral lands
that have been idle for the past several years because
of the reluctance of investors to pursue mining
activity.
Reyes
signed the order last week, which covers all mining
permits earlier cancelled by the DENR under memorandum
orders No. 2005-3 and No. 2005-13 issued by former DENR
secretary Michael Defensor, which include 65
non-performing permits in various provinces.
“This
will enable the entry of more serious investors, thus
further spurring development and economic activity in
the mining sector. At the same time, this will result in
higher revenues from government mining assets,” Reyes,
who is also chairman of the PMDC, said.
Transferring the management of the permits to a
government-owned corporation, according to Reyes, would
allow government greater flexibility and leverage in
developing the mines.
He said
the transfer would put the task of disposing vacated
mineral lands to PMDC, formerly known as the Natural
Resources Mining Development Corp., through public
bidding.
PMDC,
however, also has the option to develop and operate the
mines or enter in a joint venture with a qualified
private party or contractor.
Reyes
directed the Mines and Geosciences Bureau to coordinate
with PMDC for the transfer of relevant documents and
information as soon as possible.
Defensor
issued Memorandum Order No. 2005-03 on February 1, 2005,
canceling 93 nonperforming mining permits. Defensor
later issued Memorandum Order No. 2005-13 declaring as
final and executory the cancellation of 65 of the 93
idle permits, while the remaining 28 permits subjected
to further review in view of the motions for
reconsideration filed by their owners.
A
moratorium was imposed for the filing of mining
applications on the 65 idle mineral lands until such
time that the appropriate policy is issued by the DENR.
The 65
permits were eventually cancelled in view of certain
violations of the provisions of the Philippine Mining
Act of 1995, its implementing rules and regulations, and
terms and conditions of their respective mining permits.
One of
the main reasons cited was the failure of the mining
contractors to undertake mining activities on the ground
over a long period of time. |
