Environment secretary Gina Lopez announces on Monday, Oct. 24 that the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources will no longer accept new mining permit applications. Lopez attnted a dialogue with the leaders of the indigenous and Moro peoples alliance, Sandugo, at the University of the Philippines Diliman. (Paulo C. Rizal/davaotoday.com)
QUEZON CITY, Philippines – To the delight of thousands of indigenous and Moro people environment and natural resources secretary Gina Lopez said that her office will no longer entertain new permits for mining companies in the country.
“I want you to know, that DENR now, I’m putting a moratorium on all new mining,” Lopez said during a dialogue with the representatives of “national minority” alliance, Sandugo on Monday, Oct. 24 at the University of the Philippines Diliman.
“No new mining. Even if you put P500,000 you won’t get an (environmental compliance certificate). I don’t want it anymore. I’m finished,” Lopez added.
She said she wants to focus on developing agriculture and ecotourism instead.
Lopez made the remarks after hearing the leaders of Sandugo who complained about their ancestral lands encroached by large mining companies.
Xavier Akien of Benguet-Abra-Mountain Province-Ilocos Sur Mining Watch thanked Lopez for recommending the suspension of the mining operations of Lepanto.
“For eight years, Lepanto has destroyed our livelihood and the river coursing through the proovince of Benguet, parts of Mountain Province Ilocos sur, and the province of Abra. All of the historical fishing grounds and rice lands there are already destroyed because of Lepanto’s abuses and plundering,” said Akien.
Meanwhile, Fernando Manili, an Ibaloi and spokeserson of anti-mining group Amianan Salakniban said while Lopez recommended the suspension of Oceana Gold Philippines and Golden Summit Mining Corporation both companies are still operating.
“Through treachery and disobedience, these mining companies are undermining the authority of the DENR and the clamor of the people. Their continued operation brings more destruction to the forests and land in Nueva Vizcaya and Isabela,” Manili said.
Lopez expressed her commitment to investigating Manili’s report.
Since assuming her post on June this year, Lopez has ordered the suspension of at least 30 mining permits for violating environmental safety standards.
In a statement, Sandugo convenor Piya Macliing Malayao said the big mining corporations “has brought militarization” in the IP and Moro people’s ancestral domains.
“We urge the Duterte administration to take urgent action over destructive and extractive big business such as DMCI and Agpet that brought militarization and plunder right into the hearts of our ancestral domains. The DENR should immediately close down the projects of these corporations that are amred to the teeth with military investment defense forces, paramilitary detachments, or private security,” Malayao said.
Malayao cited the case of recently slain farmer and staunch anti-mining activist Jimmy Saypan, who succumbed to his wounds on October 11. Saypan was shot by an unidentified riding-in-tandem in Barangay New Visayas, Montevista town in Compostela Valley the day before.
Farmers’ groups have blamed the Army for Saypan’s death. Saypan, then secretary general of Compostela Farmers Association, lead in a barricade protest against Agusan Petroleum in 2015.
Army Chief of Staff General Ricardo Visaya, through a phone call made by Lopez said that the soldiers being stationed in their communities mean no harm and are there only for peace and development programs.
“You should not fear the military. We are only here to help you achieve better living conditions,” Visaya said. (davaotoday.com)
