Latest mining policies
makes environmental protection mandatory at all stages of mining
process, DENR Usec says
By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
September
7, 2010
TACLOBAN CITY –
Several new policies have been issued by the DENR to make
environmental protection and management mandatory in all stages of the
mining process, Environment Undersecretary Jeremias Dolino said when
he graced the 1st Regional Mining Stakeholders Forum in Tacloban City,
recently.
For the mining sector
to grow and prosper, mining should now be anchored on the principles
of sustainable development to ensure that the economic, environmental
and social concerns of mining operations would be addressed, the
Undersecretary said.
DENR Memorandum
Circular 2010-14 strengthens public participation in the Environmental
Impact Assessment (EIA) process of environmentally critical projects
such as mining. Local government units have also been given
representation in the Minerals Development Council to encourage their
participation in promoting and developing socially responsible mining
in the country through Executive Order No. 469-A.
The Undersecretary
also informed the participants of the Mining Stakeholders Forum about
a DENR-DOF-DBM-DILG Joint Circular signed on June 25 this year which
revises the guidelines on the release of the share of LGUs derived by
the national government from royalty income collected from mineral
reservations.
The Joint Circular
reiterates the 40% revenue share of LGUs. From this, 20% goes to the
province, 45% for the component city or municipality and 35% for the
host barangay.
Meanwhile, highly
urbanized cities where the natural resources are located gets a 65%
share, while the remaining 35% goes to the host barangay.
Another positive
development that would benefit LGUs and other stakeholders is the
issuance of DENR Administrative Order No. 2010-13 this year.
The DAO requires a
mining permit holder/lessee to allot annually a minimum of 1.5% of
their operating costs for community development implementation and
provide funds for information, education and communication campaigns.
Usec Dolino said that
mining has been identified by our government as one of the major focus
areas of economic activity.
He revealed that the
latest mining statistics as of July 28, 2010 show that taxes, fees and
royalties from mining nationwide amount to 9.175 billion pesos.
He was quick to
admit, however that the mining industry in the country still faces
strong opposition from anti-mining groups. Various oppositions to
mining have stalled the upward growth of the industry, he laments.
Several NGOs, the church, academe, indigenous peoples and even some
local government units have expressed very strong sentiments against
mining, he added. Usec Dolino cited that even in Region 8, the
provinces of Eastern Samar and Samar have issued a 50-year moratorium
on large scale mining.
