Duterte admin must stand by mine closures – IBON

Think tank IBON Foundation urged the Duterte administration to stand by the closure and suspension orders issued by Environment and Natural Secretary Gina Lopez against large-scale mining operations in the country.

"Government should uphold the mining ban and be wary of opposition coming from certain members of the Cabinet involved in the mining sector, which could derail efforts to advance the people’s interests," IBON claimed in a statement.

"The closure and suspension orders are a positive step for the protection of the Philippine environment and towards ensuring that the country’s natural resources benefit the Filipino people," it said.

Early this month, Lopez revealed during a press conference that she ordered to close 23 mining operations and suspend five others for regulatory and environmental infractions.

On Tuesday, the Environment chief also canceled 75 mineral production sharing agreements covering operations in watersheds.

With the closure and suspension of more than 20 mines, the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) warned of massive losses in jobs and revenues.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, who is co-chairperson of the Mining Industry Coordinating Council (MICC) with Lopez, also expressed his concern that the orders would cost affected local governments in terms of foregone revenues.

However, IBON debunked claims that large-scale mining has been beneficial to the economy.

"While mineral exports hit a high $3.4 billion in 2013, mining contributed a measly 0.7 percent to gross domestic product (GDP) in the same year. The sector’s contribution grew to this level only from 0.5 percent after more than a decade of operations," it emphasized.

The group added that the annual average share of mining revenue to total government revenue in 2009 to 2012 was only 1.18 percent.

"The contribution of the mining and quarrying sector to employment was also negligible at 0.7 percent of total employment," IBON said.

More than 90 percent of mineral production is exported for consumption of steel industries in other countries while the Philippines has none, the foundation noted.

"This, despite the Philippines being one of the world’s top producers of gold, copper and nickel," it said.

IBON cited the string of mining disasters since the enactment of the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.

"Aside from human deaths, large-scale mining has caused damaged dams, soil and water pollution due to excessive tailings, siltation, contamination and damage to agricultural lands, fish kill and other damages to marine life, buried or damaged houses in tailings and flash floods, isolated villages, dust fallout and air pollution, massive evacuation and various illnesses," it said. — Ted Cordero/VDS, GMA News