Catholic clerics seek passage of bill as alternative to mining EO

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines National Secretariat for Social Action is hoping to gather the support of 100 prelates of the CBCP for the passage of the Alternative Minerals Management Bill in Congress.

 

Father Edu Gariguez, executive secretary of NASSA, said the passage of the Alternative Minerals Management Bill, or AMMB, has been made more urgent after President Benigno Aquino III signed an Executive Order on mining policy.

 

“There is a need to push for this AMMB because that EO is not the solution to our problem. The Chamber of Mines rejoicing is already an indicator that this EO actually favors mining companies,” said Gariguez in an interview.

 

Malacañang said on Saturday that President Aquino has signed the Executive Order on mining policy changes. The details of the EO will be revealed on Monday.

 

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines National Secretariat for Social Action, or CBCP-NASSA, head Bishop Broderick Pabillo presented to the CBCP bishops a position paper that supports the AMMB. The CBCP is currently conducting their 105th Plenary Assembly at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center in Manila.

 

The Alternative Minerals Management Bill, or AMMB, is now being deliberated by Congress’ Natural Resources Committee Technical Working Group. The AMMB is a consolidated version of House Bills 206, 3763, 4315 and several other mining-related bills in the House of Representatives.

 

Senate Bill 3126, the AMMB’s senate version, was filed in the Senate last February 15, 2012 by Senator Sergio Osmeña III. The bill seeks “to provide a framework for the utilization and management of the country's mineral resources that addresses the needs of the domestic economy and upholds the rights of all stakeholders involved, including the workers, farmers, indigenous peoples and the local or host communities”.

 

Gariguez said the CBCP is not against mining but measures should be required to safeguard the environment, and protect indigenous communities’ rights. 

 

He is also confident that the bishops will support their position on the matter. The position paper will be submitted to the President, the Senate, and Congress.

 

“This is a big boost to our campaign because we have the people and the bishops supporting this bill,” Gariguez added. — DVM, GMA News