Top gov’t execs to discuss DENR's closure order vs. mining firms

A multi-stakeholder team of the inter-agency Mining Industry Coordinating Council (MICC) is scheduled to meet on Monday to discuss the recent closure and suspension orders of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

"This organization meeting is a result of MICC Resolution No. 6, which had resolved to create 'a multi-stakeholder team' to 'review existing mining operations in consultation with local government units (LGUs)," the Department of Finance (DOF) said in an emailed statement.

The MICC is co-chaired by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and Environment Secretary Regina Paz "Gina" Lopez.

The review was mandated by a resolution of the MICC, to provide assistance and guidance to the DENR after its decision to close 23 mines and suspend five others after its month-long audit on the mining industry.

Among those invited to the meeting are Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia.

Also expected are Secretaries of Trade Ramon Lopez, Interior and Local Government Ismael Sueno, Budget and Management Benjamin Diokno, Energy Alfonso Cusi, Agriculture Emmanuel Piñol, Agrarian Reform Rafael Mariano, Justice Vitaliano Aguire III, Labor Silvestre Bello III, and Social Welfare Judy Taguiwalo.

Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr., Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo, Solicitor General Jose Calida, Undersecretary Ferdinand Cui Jr. of the Presidential Management Staff (PMS), Chairperson Leonor Oralde-Quintayo of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Executive Director Sandra Paredes of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) have also been invited to the meeting. —ALG, GMA News