Group calls for EO vs. open-pit mining

Following President Rodrigo Duterte's warning against miners in his third State of the Nation Address (SONA), the Center for Energy, Ecology and Development (CEED) on Wednesday urged the Chief Executive to release an executive order against open-pit mining operations.

"Maglabas na siya ng executive order hinggil dito. Kasi kung 'di niya ito gagawin, mananatili lang itong pagbabanta. Dalawang taon na niya itong sinasabi eh so dapat by now... kung talagang pinapahalagahan ng Pangulo ang kalikasan at ang epekto nito sa ating watershed lalo't lalo na panahon na naman ng bagyo," said Gerry Arances, executive director of CEED, in a phone interview on Balitanghali.

"Aksyonan na sa pamamagitan ng paglalabas ng executive order na para i-enforce 'yung open-pit ban at closure orders," Arances added.

Duterte has ordered miners to "repair mismanaged natural resources" due to their operations, adding that his administration will be imposing new mining policies.

“Repair what you have mismanaged. Try to change management radically because this time you will have respective policies. The prohibition of open-pit mining is one,” Duterte said.

In June, the President promised to address concerns about open-pit mining and hinted at the possibility of a total ban on open-pit mining.

Arances said the CEED was elated that the issue on mining was mentioned in Duterte's SONA. However, he noted that they are hoping for more actions from the government.

"Kami ay nagagalak na isinama niya ulit at ni-reiterate niya 'yung kaniyang posisyon hinggil sa destruction na dulot ng open-pit mining. Pero kami ay nababahala na kasi dalawang taon na niya 'tong sinasabi eh pero magpahanggang ngayon, tila baga nananatiling salita itong mga 'to," Arances said.

"Ang panawagan namin sa Presidente mismo ay i-enforce na niya ito sa pamamagitan ng pag-uutos mismo sa kanyang departamento, sa DENR [Department of Environment and Natural Resources] sa pangunguna ni Secretary [Roy] Cimatu na i-enforce na sa lahat ang closure order sa minahan na lumabag at actually sumisira sa watershed natin," he added.

Arances also vowed that CEED would remain vigilant regarding mining issues and policies.

"Nanatili 'yung vigilance ng communities, kasama 'yung aming organisasyon kasama ang ibang organisasyon... Kami po ay maghahanda ng mga pagkilos hinggil sa mga proyektong ito," he said. —Anna Felicia Bajo/KG, GMA News