Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu on Wednesday maintained that environmental consideration remains to be the top priority of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Interviewed by reporters at the sidelines of the 31st Founding Anniversary celebration of the DENR at the amphitheater inside the Ninoy Aquino Park and Wildlife Rescue Center, the DENR chief said President Duterte’s marching order and his order to mining companies are anchored on the environmental aspect of mining operations.
He assured the public that the environmental the aspect of mining operations will remain one of the important audit criteria as far as the DENR is concerned.
“Environment is part of the audit and it is my marching order to mining companies,” Cimatu said.
Based on the Mining Industry Coordinating Council’s initial review, however, only four mining operations out of the 27 that were recommended for closure or suspension, failed the MICC review.
The others passed environmental standards as per MICC review. These mining companies were recommended for closure or suspension by then-Secretary Regina Paz L. Lopez in February 2017.
According to Cimatu, the MICC is still finalizing the result of its review.
But he said the MICC review and recommendation will be a big factor in his decision to recommend the closure, suspension or to clear the mining companies of the alleged offense or violation.
Cimatu declined to give details of the DENR’s audit result, which he said, will be harmonized with that of the MICC review. The MICC, he said, is expected to finalize its audit and submit recommendations to the DENR this month. Based on the recommendation, Cimatu said, he will come up with a decision whether to suspend or close the mining operation.
Cimatu also reiterated President Duterte’s policy to “reinvent” mining, saying that open-pit mining will no longer be allowed. He added the DENR will also strictly enforce the policy that mining companies must implement progressive rehabilitation by not disturbing other areas except for the area that they are allowed to extract minerals.