Jul
25
In a forum organized by the Ateneo de Davao University last week, the main speakers recognized the need for responsible mining notwithstanding Malacañang’s recent order whose proper implementation remains to be seen.
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region 12 director Constancio Paye Jr., Rodney Galicia of the Alyansa Tigil Mina, and Ateneo president Fr. Joel Tabora SJ, all agreed that the mining industry “must ensure social justice for all impacted stakeholders” but differed on how to achieve it.
“The Mining Act of 1995 [Republic Act 7942] is one of the best mining laws in the world as it is designed to achieve social justice and equity for all stakeholders aside from ensuring environmental protection,” Paye said.
“RA 7942 provides for the required environmental compliance certificate an environmental protection and enhancement program, a mine rehabilitation and decommissioning plan and a free and prior informed consent declaration from affected indigenous tribes.”
Paye said he rejected “51 out of 69 mine applications because they failed to get the FPIC from the tribes.”
Sagittarius Mines Inc., contractor of the proposed Tampakan Copper-Gold Project and the only mining firm represented in the Davao forum, said “the implementation of Executive Order 79 will encourage sustainable minerals development, effectively manage the social and environmental aspects of mining.”
Speaking for the alliance, Galicia said the 1995 law was wanting.
“Alyansa Tigil Mina is not against mining; we are against mining as implemented in RA 7942,” he said.
Galicia expressed guarded optimism over the Malacañang policy but admitted it had “some small steps in the right direction” while “some sections of the executive order are misleading with social and environmental safeguards watered down”.
In a statement, Tabora said “the thrust is less on banning mining activities absolutely” but showed “a clear consensus on responsible mining” along with the concern over sanctions.
“Right now, the government is incapable of enforcing responsible mining,” he said.
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