Duterte throws weight behind Gina Lopez's closure of 21 mines

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said he supports the latest move of Environment Secretary Gina Lopez who just ordered the closure of 21 miners for violating mining and environmental laws.

“You know, I support her. And there was never a time that I called her to slow down a little bit, because … on one hand is the strict implementation of the mining laws,” Duterte said during his speech at the 38th National Convention of Philippine Association of Water Districts in Davao City.

“She’s so passionate about, not about the mining laws but about the little men on the land tilling,” the President said.

Duterte made the statement after reading in the newspapers that Lopez canceled some mining operations in the country.

Earlier Thursday, the Environment chief announced the closure 21 mining companies and suspension of six other in the wake of an industry-wide environmental audit, which started in July last year.

“She’s the pro-people, pro-poor policies that I said when I took her in, 'You can have your way, just be fair and make it legal'," Duterte said.

"That’s about the only standard that you follow: What is legal and what is fair. Hanggang diyan lang tayo,” he added.

Duterte earlier said the administration will go after mining companies that don't heed the strictest international standards, citing the case of Canada and Australia where best industry practices can be found. — GMA News