Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza said that Filipino industry and ingenuity will be the force that will drive the mining and construction industries to unprecedented progress, bringing development that will benefit all Filipinos, notably the poor.

In his keynote address at the recent Philconstruct and Mining Asia 2007 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila (WTCMM), Atienza said mining and construction are “emerging industries’’ whose rise will be fueled by the desire of Filipinos to use our God-given resources in a responsible way.

“In the Bible, God tells humankind to prevail over Nature’s wealth, to use it, and to profit from it. Those words are what we hold on to when we say that when God gave Filipinos abundant natural resources, He also saw to it that the Filipino can use his natural ingenuity to develop these resources,” Atienza said in Filipino language.

The DENR chief said Filipinos already possess the mental and physical requirements to dig the land for minerals and to build roads and bridges that are the end-products of development. “We have competent engineers and technical men who can help develop the country, and we may not need the foreigners to do that for us,” Atienza said.

Atienza explained that it is President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s vision to make mining a major industry that will wipe out poverty especially in the countryside. President Arroyo envisioned the plan for the revitalization of the mining industry, which is now a reality. “Our President knows the fundamentals of the economy, and she knows that mining and development are very essential parts of our economic plan. So let’s work together and see to it that all our efforts will bear fruit now, in our generation,” Atienza said.

He added that as DENR chief, “I am challenged to reform, redirect and revitalize the mining industry from the old concept na nilaspag ang ating kapaligiran. I will work for a democratized mining system that will have social impact programs to the communities like schools, clinics and even housing. That is the only way to really encourage responsible mining.”

He said that the DENR has received complaints against mining companies since investors were allowed to come in a few years ago. But, he said, that complaints always have solutions. He added that it has turned out that some areas of the country “that are not really fit for agriculture like those in the eastern side of the archipelago” have turned out to be suitable for mining.

“Today, we have about PhP800 million or so in mining investments. But given the correct situation and opportunity to pursue our objectives from 2008 up to 2011, we are expecting new investments of US$9 billion more. This will lead to the full development of companies that are now engaged in exploration and processing and eventually in development of the mines that they are now handling. This is the time that our efforts to bring change to the lives of our people in the countryside will be realized,” Atienza said.

Atienza also praised the contractors and engineers taking part in the exhibit for “exuding a positive energy” that is the sure sign of the vibrancy of the mining and construction sectors.

Philconstruct 2007 was organized by the Philippine Constructors Association, Inc. (PCA) in cooperation with the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA). (DENR-Public Affairs Office)

November 20, 2007