Knowing
the huge demand for copper, gold, and nickel, and their potential
for generating jobs, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo unveiled
Thursday night the government policy to actively promote sustainable
mining, instead of merely tolerating it.
“It’s
my administration’s policy to promote responsible mineral
resources exploration, development, and utilization to enhance economic
growth…,”the President said at the 50th anniversary
of the Philippine Mines Safety and Environment Association and the
Annual Mine Safety and Environment Conference at the Manila Hotel.
Ms.
Arroyo cited two investments in the mining industry that are in
very advanced stages now. She expressed the hope that they will
be the “first roots” of the government’s policy
of pushing sustainable mining, rather that just tolerating it as
it had been done in many years in the past.
The
President said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
has significantly reduced the processing time for environment clearance
certificates (ECCs), which has been the bane of operations start-ups
of mining and other industries.
She
said that aside from the national minerals policy, the other related
framework for mining policy should be the Mining Act.
Ms.
Arroyo said while the government is waiting for the Supreme Court
to come out with its rulings, the government is in the process of
harmonizing the Mining Act of 1995 and the Indigenous People’s
Rights Act to facilitate applications of qualified mining investors.
With
the impeachment crisis over, the President said the Supreme Court
is expected to go back to addressing the pending great policy issues
including those related to the mining sector.
Touching
on specific concerns, the President said the government has acted
decisively on the Marcopper and Mount Diwalwal problems to end the
lingering fears of the communities around these two major mining
firms.
In
the case of Marcopper in Marinduque, she said she has released P20
million of presidential funds to finance an environmental and health
study which will recommend the appropriate rehabilitation strategies
for the areas affected by the Marcoper tailings spill.
