Duterte scolds reckless mining firms: What have you done to my country?

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday expressed his disgust at mining companies for causing environmental degradation in some parts of the country that have been ravaged by irresponsible miners.

In a press conference broadcast live on television from Malacañang, the President flipped pages of photos showing the negative impact of mining operations in the country.

“Explain to us, to the lawmakers, such degradation... What have you done to my country? Kasi ‘pag hindi mo ako sinagot ng tu -- p**** i** isampal ko itong papel sa mukha mo. Explain to me bakit ganito," he said.

“Maawa naman kayo sa Pilipinas,” the President added.

Duterte's litany of the devastation brought about mining activities that he said range from deforestation to water contamination.

"Now, is [Environment Secretary] Gina [Lopez] a liar? No, I don’t (think so). Mahirap ‘to. Tingnan mong ginawa oh, green, tapos dito. So where are the trees that God gave us? Where is the environment that God gave us?" he said.

"Look at the water? So where is the fish? So where is the marine life? Where is the aquatic life there? Anong kakainin ng tao ‘yang mga mahirap lang dito? Those mga…Kukuha na nga ng haluan eh para magka-ulam," he added.

Because of these negative impacts of mining to the environment and its effects to the people, the President is considering allowing Lopez to implement a nationwide ban on mining.

"So what can your 70 billion (pesos) do for the government? Nothing. Maybe it would be worth the while for Gina to reimpose the ban. Total (ban) muna tayo, tapos mag-usap. Dito magprangka-prangkahan tayo," he said.

"Kaya ‘yung mga miners, mag-usap tayo dito. Gusto ninyo tayo-tayo lang o media, explain to me kung bakit ganito. And you explain well to me bakit ganito," he added.

The President also said it would be unfair to reprimand those who engage in kaingin or the slash-and-burn farming system wherein forested land areas are cleared and the vegetation burned for planting crops and ignore big-time miners.

"Ang problema nito, hinuhuli natin ‘yung Pilipino na maliit, magkaingin. But ito sila dig and cut and make it clean. So where is now the justice of the Filipino? Eh might as well mag-resign na lang kami, wala kaming magawa. Rather than bear the burden of not -- cannot answer because we have done nothing," he said.

Duterte said he would allow responsible mining. This means that firms should protect the environment surrounding the mining areas under their jurisdiction.

"Iyong responsible mining, sino itong korporasyon na ito? Ibigay ko sa iyo lahat. ‘Pag ganon ang labas," he added.

In the same event, Duterte also acknowledged the mining companies that exerted efforts to rehabilitate their sites. — VDS/BAP, GMA News