Draft executive order seeks to end quarrels over PHL mining

(Updated 11:17 p.m.) The creation of a mining council that would harmonize the conflicting interests of the mining industry, local and national governments, and  environmental advocates is among the measures contained in a draft executive order on mining that was submitted to President Aquino for approval, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. said Tuesday.   Ochoa said the final draft EO was submitted by the Cabinet on Tuesday and is the product of thorough consultations with all stakeholders.   Its drafting was prompted by Aquino’s wish to review the existing mining policies and the state of the mining industry vis-à-vis environmental degradation, safety issues, and dislocation of indigenous peoples.   “There are mechanisms in the proposal that are on the way forward, as this proposed EO hopes to strike a balance between interests or supposedly conflicting interests between the mining industry and the environment, among others,” said Ochoa.   Furthermore, he said the draft EO seeks to harmonize the conflicting national and local laws on mining, especially in terms of approving and handling mining applications.   However, some suggestions by the economic and climate change clusters that were included in the draft EO would need Congress to pass the appropriate laws. These suggestions seek to further strengthen the mining industry without compromising the preservation and protection of the environment. A standoff