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(May
20, 2003) Over P61million in additional livelihood, infrastructure,
educational and health projects await the people of Tuba and Itogon,
Benguet Province in the next five years courtesy of Philex Mining
Corp. (PMC), as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR) approved the company’s Social Development and Management
Program (SDMP) last week. This
was the ninth SDMP the DENR-Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has
approved since last year, bringing the total programmed social commitment
by mining projects to P127.6 million within 5 years.
The
SDMP is a mining/quarry company’s comprehensive five-year
plan for the implementation of community programs and projects based
on consultations with the host and neighboring communities. The
development of mining communities is a social provision prescribed
under the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 (Republic Act 7942).
DENR
Secretary Elisea G. Gozun said the MGB is strictly monitoring the
implementation of this program, realizing the important role that
industries like mining play towards countryside development and
poverty alleviation.
“With
the SDMP, we strengthen the government’s thrust to create
responsible, self- reliant and resource-based communities within
and around mine and quarry sites that they maybe able to sustain
the development of their respective communities even after mine
closure,” Gozun said. “The SDMP would therefore ensure
that there would be no more ghost towns from mining.”
Apart
from Philex, other companies with approved 5-year SDMP are: Alsons
Cement Corp. in Misamis Oriental; Union Cement Corp. (UCC)-Bulacan
Plant; Taganito Mining Corp. in Surigao del Norte; UCC-Davao Plant;
UCC-La Union Plant; Northern Cement Corp. in Pangasinan; Cagdianao
Mining Corp. in Surigao del Norte; and Pacific Cement Co. in Surigao
del Norte.
Under
RA 7942 and its implementing rules and regulations, a mining company
is required to allocate not less than 90% of its 1% direct mining
and milling costs for the implementation of the SDMP. This is in
addition to the excise taxes paid to the government, 40% of which
goes to the local government units as share from use of national
wealth.
The
DENR started requiring mines and quarry operators to submit their
SDMPs in 2000 following the issuance of DENR Administrative Order
2000-99 which set the guidelines in the formulation of the SDMP
in compliance to RA 7942. The DAO particularly requires mining companies
to prepare SDMP for a maximum period of five years based on the
needs of its host and neighboring communities.
SDMP
activities commonly include: the construction or maintenance of
public infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, churches, roads,
bridges, electric power and sewerage systems, etc.; the establishment
of livelihood industries including reforestation; and the use of
mine camp facilities such as hospitals and schools by members of
the host and neighboring communities.
The
MGB Regional and Central Offices undertake the screening and review
of all SDMPs submitted by mining companies. The MGB Director issues
a Certificate of Approval after the proposed SDMPs pass the rigorous
screening process. The MGB also monitors and audits the implementation
of all approved SDMPs on a periodical basis.
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