Updates on mining laws may be expected within the next six months, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga said in a briefing in Pasay City yesterday expected amendments include the Minahang Bayan which serves as a common area where small-scale miners are allowed to legally operate.
“Because mining is actually a priority, this will be the first area wherein we will be conducting a review and that process has already started. Hopefully, we will be able to come up within the next six months on some selected areas… Among them, possibly the small-scale mining dimension, which as we know is really in need of a closer look because of the need for social protection of our small-scale miners as well as an improvement in their overall livelihood and well-being,” Loyzaga said.
She said the DENR will also be taking a comprehensive review of the legal framework and policies and practices of other sectors aside from mining. These include biodiversity, land management, environmental management and forestry.
Loyzaga said the DENR is supportive of “responsible mining” but needs to build its capacity in the observation, monitoring and analyzing of the the permitting process in the mining sector.
“We would like to make sure the social and physical advances in science and tech(nology), as well as our current context developmentally are now adequately perfected in an updated policy and legal system,” Loyzaga said.
