ATM
opposes any move of the DENR to declare additional mineral reservation areas.
Once an area is declared as a mineral reservation, the regular safeguards can
be potentially set aside to fast-track the permitting and approval process for
a mining project. These includes watering the down the FPIC process for
indigenous peoples and over-riding the rights of LGUs to reject miningg
applications.
A
mineral reservation status can also lift the protected area status of
watersheds and biodiversity areas. Mineral reservation status can also reverse
the land use of prime agricultural lands and areas covered by CARP or agrarian
reform.
We
don't believe that additional revenues can be collected via mineral
reservations
because these areas are also given additional incentives such as tax holidays.
DENR
should prioritize the passage of a new fiscal (taxation) regime for mining
industry, rather than push for more mineral reservations. (By Jaybee Garganera, ATM
National Coordinator)
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