The government is setting aside calls to reconsider the lifting of the mining ban for now as it expects to generate at least P21 billion from 100 pipeline mining projects which will be a big boost to the economy, an environment official said yesterday.
Undersecretary Jonas Leones of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), at the Laging Handa public briefing, acknowledged calls of some environmental groups to reconsider Executive Order 130 that President Duterte issued last week which allows the government to enter into new mining agreements.
Leones said the department, however, is considering the positive impact of the mining deals in terms of royalty and excise taxes which could be used to fund government activities including efforts to address the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
“For now, we would not put too much attention on those calls because we need… we have a lot of problems in the country and we need funds for that,” Leones said when asked about the calls of the environmental groups.
“This is one of the solutions that we see (will help us) survive and we can use the funds we generate for example for COVID-19 activities,” he added.
Leones, however, said the economic effects of the new mining deals would not be felt by the public immediately but that the effects on the economy in terms of income will be felt in five years.
He said the DENR is now evaluating 100 pipeline projects to determine which can proceed. Of the 100 mining projects, 35 are under phase one and 65 areunder phase two.
Leones said one of the big- ticket projects under consideration is the $700 billion Silangan Mining in Surigao del Norte.
Leones assured the DENR would ensure environmental laws and safety guidelines would be followed if the mining projects proceed.
“This is not just about the extraction. We repeatedly say that environmental compliance is vital in balancing the economic aspect and environmental aspect,” he said.
Environmental group Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE) earlier expressed concern the lifting of the moratorium might lead to more disasters.
