THE Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) supports incoming President Rodrigo R. Duterte in his bid to stop illegal and irresponsible mining firms in the country.
“This has always been the COMP’s position as we continue to find ways to strengthen our programs in social development and management to include indigenous peoples and environmental enhancement,” the COMP said in news a statement issued on Monday.
COMP, which represents the mining industry, is composed of large-scale mining companies operating in the country.
It assured Duterte its commitment to work hand-in-hand with the incoming administration to help address concerns in the industry “so that we may promote true inclusive growth around the country.”
The tough-talking Duterte had earlier committed a proenvironment administration if elected president. In an impromptu speech on Saturday night during a thanksgiving party at the Davao City’s Crocodile Farm, he told big mining companies to “shape up” and “stop destroying the environment.”
He was quoted as saying that big mining companies are responsible for widespread destruction, which affect the people.
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is the primary government agency tasked to regulate mining in the Philippines.
In 2012 it has ordered Philex Mining Corp. to stop operation, after a massive tailings pond leak that contaminated nearby water bodies. The DENR, upon the recommendation of the MGB, eventually slapped Philex with over P1 billion in fine a year after.
Philex was allowed to resume operation in 2014, after substantially complying with the DENR-MGB’s orders to rehabilitate the affected water bodies, including corrective measures, to prevent a repeat of the incident.
In his speech, Duterte said he wants the mining industry to be run like a cooperative, wherein the people will benefit, particularly Mindanao’s poor.
Duterte plans to take over the DENR until he finds a man, preferably an ex-military, to do the job which he said is “tough.”
While the country is rich in minerals deposit, the mining sector’s contribution to the economy in terms of GDP remains below 1 percent.
The outgoing Aquino administration has put in place a Mining Industry Coordinating Council, which is pushing for a new mining-revenue sharing scheme that will increase government’s share through taxes.
2 comments
Ang sabi po ni Duterte “big mining companies are destrying the environement ” (…In an impromptu speech on Saturday night during a thanksgiving party at the Davao City’s Crocodile Farm, he told big mining companies to “shape up” and “stop destroying the environment.”) Hindi lang po basta illegal mining, meaning kahit legal mining co. (THE Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) supports incoming President Rodrigo R. Duterte in his bid to STOP ILLEGAL AND IRRESPONSIBLE MINING FIRMS in the country.) Nagpapatawa lang itong COMP na to eh.
Sir Digong, ganito ang situwasyon. Maraming mga small-scale miners sa bansa. As per the Small Scale Mining Act, dapat ang mga gamit nila mga simple na tools lang. Bawal ang explosives at malaking equipment. At dahil small-scale sila, hindi masyadong istrikto ang monitoring…which is the reason may mga violations. May explosive. may heavy equipment, may siraan sa kalikasan, konti lang (if any) ang bayad nila ng fees at taxes. May violation sa mga karapatan ng mga trabahador at mga komunidad sa paligid. Whereas ang big mining companies ay sumusunod sa Mining Act of the Philippines na nandoon lahat: environmental protection, taxation, community development, etc. Mga ibang mining community na nga like Philex may mga paaralan at klinika. Pero ang nagyaryi lahat ng mga karahasan ng small scale miners ay ginawang dahilan ng mga militanteng grupo kung bakit masama ang buong industriya. Si Noynoy Aquino, kagat naman siya, which is why ang mining industry ngayon, so nag-sign siya ng moratorium. Ang mining ngayon ay in critical condition, at hindi makontribute na maayos sa bansa, not just towards GDP but infrastructure, etc. Ito ba ang ‘inclusive wealth’ ni Aquino. Mr. Duterte, this is your chance to rectify this mistake.