Quezon City-August 17, 2018
No change in
environmental protection under Sec. DENR Roy Cimatu
We
are deeply disappointed with the performance of DENR as the Duterte
administration enters its 3rd year. Despite the rhetoric of Pres. Duterte, particularly
in his latest SONA last July 23, 2018, DENR has failed to
effectively regulate the mining industry and deliver the promise of “change”.
Mining
operations have continued, despite the cancellation and suspension orders
issued by former DENR Sec. Gina Lopez, against 26 operating mines. Our alliance
is deeply concerned that these mines will soon get clearances for full
operations, once the Mining Industry Coordinating Council (MICC) and DENR
reverses the cancellation and suspension orders.
Destructive
and illegal tree-cutting practices continue to ravage mining-affected
communities in Aroroy, Masbate and in Brooke’s Pt., Palawan.
Communities
in Sta. Cruz, Zambales and in Cantilan, Surigao del Sur lost their livelihoods
and sustained damages on property after habagat and Typhoon Basyang hit their
areas. Floods, landslides and erosions were caused by large-scale mining
operations.
The
same story was recently repeated in Marikina and Rizal province, where
large-scale quarrying operations have denuded the Marikina Watershed Protected
Landscape, affecting more than 20,000 families.
Costs
of displacements due to mining are too huge. And we hold DENR accountable for
being remiss in its mandate to protect our remaining forests and watershed.
Credit
should be given where it is due. The
closure and rehabilitation of Boracay was implemented and on course to be
completed. However, the economic impacts to displaced workers in the island
need to be resolved. More importantly the displacement of indigenous Atis must
be addressed.
We
reject the proposal of Sec. Cimatu to lift the ban on open-pit mining. We
remind him that Pres. Duterte himself has publicly stated numerous times in the
past nine months that he will not lift the ban and in fact, will issue an Executive
Order that puts a ban on open-pit mining. If he is a good soldier, Sec. Cimatu,
must follow this directive.
Our
alliance also reject new policy of DENR in lifting the moratorium on the
acceptance, processing and issuance of exploration permits for mining projects.
We
are also deeply concerned that the national government is implementing EO 30 or
the policy on fast-tracking Energy Projects of National Significance (EPNS). EO
30 will facilitate more coal power plants that is dirty and expensive energy. The
same policy is reflected in RA 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business law.
These
policies will set aside social and environmental safeguards that are designed
to ensure the balanced utilization and protection of natural resources, as well
as the effective and meaningful participation of local governments, indigenous
communities and peoples organizations.
We
remind Sec. Cimatu that “responsible mining” is a myth. There is no legal framework for such, and
therefore there are no parameters to measure or monitor its implementation. The
“best practices” principle of mining companies is inadequate. In addition, if
we cannot hold either the mining company or the DENR accountable for mining
disasters and non-compliance, then it can never be a “responsible” practice.
Finally,
we register our concern that the proposed ChaCha and Federalism will erode the
social justice and environmental justice provisions in the 1987
Constitution.
In
ending, we reiterate our demands to the Duterte administration:
Pres.
Duterte must issue immediately his Executive Order to ban open-pit mining DENR
must implement and not reverse the cancellation/suspension orders against the
26 mining projects.
Congress
must enact the Alternative Minerals Management Bill (AMMB), and Pres. Duterte
should certify the bill as urgent.
DENR
should make public the results of the MICC review of 26 closed/suspended mines
Rehabilitation
and compensation of victims of disasters brought by deforestation and
destructive mining practices must be implemented.
By Jaybee Garganera
ATM
National Coordinator
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