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THE
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
will soon issue a mineral exports permit (MEP) to ensure
that the state gets its rightful share from the
development of the country’s mineral resources.
This was
announced by Environment Secretary Lito Atienza in what
was seen as a move to address the alleged rampant
undervaluation, misdeclaration and illegal exportation
of minerals in the country.
Atienza
said the DENR is now drafting a policy reviving the
issuance of an MEP for the transport of all mineral
ores, minerals, mineral products and byproducts,
including gold bullions, outside of the Philippines.
“With
the issuance of MEPs, we will be able to address many of
the issues that seem to defeat the purpose of the
revitalization of the mining industry. This will
effectively establish a mechanism to monitor the
transport of minerals and mineral products and
byproducts, to ensure that they are extracted from
legitimate sources, pay proper taxes and that the right
tonnage, grade and volume are declared properly,”
Atienza said.
The
policy being proposed, to be embodied in an executive
order to be issued by the Office of the President, will
require all mining permits and contract holders,
including small-scale mining permittees sanctioned by
Local Government Units (LGUs), to obtain an MEP from the
DENR for all shipments abroad.
Atienza
said that through the MEP, the government also seeks to
protect the reputation of the Philippines as a mineral
exporter in a competitive and responsible manner to meet
international standards.
Mining
companies and mineral traders used to seek an export
clearance from the government before their minerals and
products were allowed to exit from Philippine ports, but
this requirement was eliminated following the export
liberalization.
“The
revival of such requirement has now become necessary in
the wake of widespread undervaluation, misdeclaration,
illegal exportation of minerals and mineral products,”
Atienza said.
“The MEP
will also help track down illegal mining activities,
particularly large-scale operators that hide under the
skirt of small-scale mining permits, who also get away
without paying the right amount of taxes.”
Atienza
said small-scale mining permittees also tend to produce
and sell in bulk without determining the appropriate
quantity and quality of minerals, to the detriment of
the country’s mineral resources.
“Even as
it entices investments, it remains the primary concern
of the government that the state and the Filipino people
get their rightful share from these investments, while
also ensuring our local mining industry to remain
competitive and responsible,” Atienza said. |
