Mining, an issue of social justice - VP Binay
By OVP Media
June 15, 2012
MANILA – Vice President Jejomar C. Binay said communities that host
mining operations should be the first ones to benefit from the
economic gains from the mining industry.
“Mining goes beyond economic considerations. It is above all, a social
justice issue. Communities that host mining operations should be
granted opportunities like education, health care, clean water, and
power as a bare minimum,” Binay said in a speech at the Philippine
Society of Mining Engineers’ 2nd Mining Convention in Davao City.
“The social and human profits emanating from mining should merit
honest and profound focus. Minerals are non-renewable and once they
are utilized, they will not grow back. It is therefore important that
the gains from this enterprise bring financial strength to the true
owners of this wealth – the people,” he added.
The Vice President also cited mining’s economic potential saying the
Philippines has about 9 million hectares of potential mining land with
only 1.4 million hectares being covered by mining permits.
“We have billions of tons of metallic and non-metallic mineral
deposits buried within our soil,” Binay said.
“This is the strange contradiction that we live in, so many look for
food and decent living above ground, while so much wealth lies
literally beneath our feet,” he added.
However, Binay also acknowledged the impact of mining to the
environment. He urged industry stakeholders to apply every measure and
technology to ensure that the impact on the environment is managed and
that proper rehabilitation is undertaken.
“Exceeding the bar of our desire to protect and preserve the earth we
live in, is our duty to use its resources wisely and prudently for the
benefit of all men,” Binay said.
“We cannot forever look at these riches as taboo and refuse to touch
them, but neither can be we wasteful and careless in its consumption,”
he added.
Binay also said that he stands “shoulder to shoulder” with President
Benigno Aquino III in believing that a multipartite approach can find
sustainable and environmentally-sound mining principles that will help
the mining industry fulfill its true role in the economic development
of the country.
He added that at the moment, the government is currently drafting a
mining policy statement that seeks to increase the government’s share
in mining revenues.
“I would like to reiterate that this policy statement, as President
Benigno Aquino III himself has said, is still a work in progress. Our
beloved President has assured us that discussions with the various
entities that are very much concerned with mining in our
country—including ecological groups, the mining groups, and local
government units – will still have to be made,” Binay said.