The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said national laws will still prevail over local ordinances amid several local government units (LGUs) issuing orders to prevent mining activities.
Jonas Leones, DENR undersecretary, on the sidelines of a multi-stakeholder forum in Manila last week, said the agency respects the autonomy of LGUs but they should also be consistent with the national law.
“Always remember, the national policy should be supreme over local policies. Local policies, ordinances should not stop the implementation of national policies. All local laws should comply and be consistent with the national law,” Leones explained.
Recently, Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando issued Executive Order (EO) No. 21 mandating the temporary suspension of all mining permits, quarrying, dredging, desilting and other types of mineral extractive operations within Bulacan.
Fernando said the issuance of the local law is meant to address the constant deterioration of roads caused by overloading of transport vehicles of land minerals or other commodities.
