Environmental groups on Wednesday lauded Secretary Regina Paz L. Lopez of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for initiating the cancellation of 75 mineral production sharing agreements (MPSAs), a move lambasted anew by the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP).
The Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (Kalikasan- PNE) said that, by removing the threats of forest denudation, water pollution, marine degradation and biodiversity loss, agriculture and fisheries productivity is facing a bright prospect.
“The livelihoods of our farmers and fisherfolk in areas targeted for mining plunder can flourish. Maintaining healthy watersheds in these areas will guarantee that our population will have adequate, clean and safe water supply for irrigation and domestic water needs,” Clemente Bautista, national coordinator of Kalikasan-PNE, said.
Due process
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry has warned that the move of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to cancel contracts of 75 mining projects despite a resolution for a review issued by the Mining Industry Coordinating Council (MICC), would spook local and domestic investors.
“Due process and multi-stakeholder reviews were guaranteed by DENR Secretary Lopez herself and other MICC members just days before the new cancellations orders,” PCCI president George T. Barcelon in a news statement issued on Wednesday.
“She [Lopez] herself signed the MICC resolution and now it is not followed “How can a company risk stockholders’ money in projects if the investment rules are unclear and uncertain.” he said. “Business needs confidence that rulemakers would honor contracts.”
“We hope the President could consider moving on this issue of due process quickly because investors could put on hold their investments decisions,” Barcelon said.
Barcelon underscored that the resolution of the MICC, chaired by Lopez with Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, was clear in installing a multi-stakeholder review of the results of DENR audits of compliance with mining rules and regulations.
Excellent action
He added flash floods and landslides during heavy rainfall and strong typhoons will be minimized with forests intact and rivers free of siltation from mining operations.
“The crackdown of DENR Secretary Lopez against erring large-scale mines and the junking of MPSAs in the watershed areas are excellent action for environmental protection,” Clemente said.
The group also urged other government offices to work with the DENR to cushion the immediate impacts of the mining crackdown to its workers by providing aid and alternative livelihood.
Aid
“The P2-billion aid announced by President Duterte for displaced mine workers can be coursed through the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Agencies for rural development, such as the Department of Agriculture and Department of Agrarian Reform, can help mining communities by distributing land and support services to the displaced mining communities,” Clemente said.
The Ilocos Network for the Environment, meanwhile, said Lopez’s “unprecedented [move] in the history of the DENR” is an “excellent follow through” after the closure order of 23 mining sites in the country.
“I think the DENR is now charting its proper course, putting the environment and the people’s welfare over mining revenue and profit. We hope that Secretary Lopez continues to hold her ground,” said Sherwin de Vera, the group’s regional coordinator.
De Vera also added that beyond cancellation, the department should also conduct an investigation into how mining companies were able to get permits and operate on watershed and critical habitats.
Sanctity of contracts
COMP, which represents mining industry’s big players, again lambasted Lopez’s decision.
COMP said the recent announcement of the DENR chief “unilaterally canceling the MPSAs of 75 projects and the Tampakan Environmental Compliance Certificate is no longer a question of whether a handful of companies really violated environmental laws.”
“It has now become a question of whether we still uphold the sanctity of contracts. It has now become a question of due process. And of fairness and justice that applies to all,” the COMP said in a news statement.
The cancellation of these agreements should not rest on Lopez alone, but must be collectively be decided upon by the government as a whole, considering the adverse impact it may have on the country, the group said.
Rule of law
“More important, we feel that Lopez now has to answer to the Filipino people on all these that are fundamental in a society that follows the rule of law,” the COMP added.
Lopez said her decision to cancel the MPSAs is a preventive measure to protect the country’s water supply from the threats posed by mining activities.
On February 2 Lopez ordered to close and suspend a total of 28 large-scale metallic mines, 15 of which operate within or near watersheds. The closure order, the COMP said, will condemn 1.2 million people to hunger and poverty.
Image credits: File photo