TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte
– DENR Secretary Angelo T. Reyes defined the government’s stand on
mining and logging during the press conference held on Tuesday (May
16) at the Leyte Park Hotel’s President’s Hall.
Secretary Reyes said
that it is the duty of the State to encourage the development of the
natural resources for the common good to improve the quality of life
of the people. The natural resources must be developed in a very
responsible manner in such a way that they pursue the triple goals of
growth and profitability, social equity and environmental protection
as well.
In so far as mining is
concerned, the general position is that the government is not against
mining per se, what the government is against of is irresponsible
mining. It cannot be denied, Secretary Reyes said, that there has been
horror stories in mining experiences foremost of which is the mining
experience in Marinduque.
When foreign mining
investors come to the
Philippines,
the Secretary continued, they are always told to do in a responsible
manner observing the highest standards and strictest regulations, the
same standard of operations they impose on themselves when they mine
in their own country.
DENR will not be
lenient, it will be harsh on those who do not follow the regulations
for responsible mining. He said that there are success stories in
mining when in the early 70’s and 80’s, mining was on its heydays. The
mining industry was contributing around 25% of the country’s exports
and around 20 % of the Gross Domestic Product.
Right now, the mining
industry is contributing only 2% of the country’s total exports and
only 2% of the GDP. The mining industry can put the country in a state
of prosperity. There are risks but these risks, with the modern
equipments and methods that we now have can be minimized.
The laws and the rules
that we have on mining are at par with that of the other countries.
What is lacking is the proper implementation. This is a call for the
DENR to capacitate itself to supervise and monitor the operations of
the mining companies.
When it comes to
forestry or logging operations, the government does not want our
forest to be denuded. The cover forest used to be 67 % but now it is
down to 23%. This is bad for the environment and so DENR has passed
some measures to conserve the forest cover. The DENR is aware that the
construction industry is dependent on logs and so the agency allows
timbers to be cut to support the industry but this must be regulated.
