DENR’s hypocrisy in protecting the Mother Earth

Apr. 22, 2018
Media Statement

Alyansa Tigil Mina

Quezon City - Alyansa Tigil Mina remains critical on the behavior and practice of the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), as we celebrate Earth Day 2018.  While the alliance recognizes the joint efforts of DENR, DILG, and the DoT to close Boracay for rehabilitation, the same diligence and commitment are lacking in addressing the mining issues in the country.

DENR Sec. Cimatu has failed to implement the closure and suspension orders against 26 mining operations that have violated environmental laws or failed to comply with their own obligations stipulated in their mining contracts. This comes in the backdrop of delayed internal audits of the DENR and the review of the Mining Industry Coordinating Council (MICC) to resolve both the technicalities and substance of these closure orders issued by former DENR Sec. Gina Lopez.

In Sta. Cruz, Zambales, the demand for compensation of lost livelihoods and rehabilitation of farms and fisheries areas damaged by nickel mining operations remain in limbo.  The DENR-MGB has refused to disclose public documents such as monitoring reports, copies of environmental compliance certificates (ECCs) and ore transport permits (OTPs) to mining-affected communities represented by the Concerned Citizens of Sta. Cruz (CCOS). DENR officials promised the release of these documents, after more than 60 days of a protest-camp staged at the DENR central office by CCOS.

In Brooke’s Pt., Palawan, Ipilan Nickel Corporation (INC) has not been held accountable after illegally cutting more than 14,000 trees last May 2017. Hundreds of these cut trees were centuries old. It took Mayor Jean Feliciano to demolish illegal structures such as fences and bunk houses in the mine area to stop the illegal activities of INC.

In Aroroy, Masbate, Filiminera Mining Corp. has forcibly evicted at least 30 families from their homes and farms.  Filiminera is in a suspiciously unique position, when after undergoing the Mine Audit last 2016, its status was “not passed nor failed”, despite the numerous findings against it.  A special follow-up investigation for its operation was conducted, but the results were never released by DENR.

In Cantilan, Surigao del Sur, farmers, environmental groups and the Catholic church had a horrible Friday the 13th this April 2018, when they secured documents stating that the mining contract (MPSA) of Marcventures Minerals Development Corp. (MMDC) was allegedly extended for another 9 years or until 2027. MMDC’s mining contract was set to expire this year.  This happened despite the absence of any consultation with local communities.  The indigenous peoples have also complained at the NCIP that their free, prior and informed consent was not secured by MMDC for this renewal of the mining contract.

President Duterte reiterated his disgust with large-scale mining operations who fail to rehabilitate or reforest the mined-out areas.  Sec. Cimatu should heed the President’s warning to mining companies and follow the Chief Executives clear instructions.

These include the moratorium on new mining applications and new mining contracts; a ban on open-pit mining and the mandatory participation of all mining companies in the Extractives Industry Transparency Initiatives or EITI.

Sec. Cimatu should also start engaging the affected communities and environmental organizations.  It leaves a bitter taste in the mouth that since he started his stint as DENR, Sec. Cimatu has met the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (CoMP) no less than three times.  He has consistently refused to meet communities and green groups.

Alyansa Tigil Mina holds DENR Sec. Cimatu accountable for the continued destruction of our environment for his failure to implement the closure and suspension orders against large-scale mining operations that violate our environmental laws.

Cleaning Boracay and regulating the use of plastics are noble initiatives to protect Mother Earth.  However, when national government fails to implement its own orders that intend to protect watersheds, protected areas, and small-islands from destructive mining, the worst kind of hypocrisy is at play.

For additional details, please contact:

Jaybee Garganera, ATM National Coordinator: (0917) 549.82.18 and nc@alyansatigilmina.net

Caryl Mae T. Pillora

Policy Research and Advocacy Officer

Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM)