Miners, anti-mining advocate weigh in on Yulo-Loyzaga’s nomination to DENR

A group of miners welcomed the nomination of disaster resilience expert Ma. Antonia “Toni” Yulo-Loyzaga as secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), while an anti-mining advocacy group expressed reservations.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) chairman Michael Toledo said the group, which is composed of the country’s large-scale metallic minerals development companies, is looking forward to working with Yulo-Loyzaga “fulfilling President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s thrust of striking a balance between economic development and environmental protection under his administration.”

“We are prepared to work with Sec. Yulo-Loyzaga in her advocacies, particularly disaster risk reduction and response, sustainable development goals, and climate change protection,” Toledo said.

For his part, Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) national coordinator Jaybee Garganera said the group is “cautiously optimistic” with the nomination of the new Environment chief.

Garganera said that Yulo-Loyazaga, with her experience as executive director of Manila Observatory, is expected to use and rely more on science-based analysis to decide on environmental policies and practices at the DENR. 

“On the other hand, this is her first political appointment and she might face serious challenges in facing the vested corporate interests that want to influence DENR policies, especially on mining and EIA (environment impact assessment) of projects,” the ATM national coordinator said.

Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles announced Yulo-Loyzaga’s nomination as DENR chief, subject to the fulfilment of the required documents. 

She was chairperson of the International Advisory Board of the Manila Observatory where she campaigned for more scientific research on climate and disaster resilience.

She also served as the Manila Observatory’s executive director and technical adviser of the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation.

“Our sector eagerly anticipates a meaningful engagement with Sec. Yulo-Loyzaga as well as the members of the government’s economic team led by Finance Sec. Benjamin Diokno who has said that mining will be accelerated under the Marcos administration to help buttress the country’s post-pandemic recovery initiatives,” Toledo said.

“COMP is for all efforts to foster and promote responsible mineral development in the Philippines. Sec. Yulo-Loyzaga can count on our full support in weeding out illegal miners and curtailing irresponsible mining practices, which have tarnished the reputation of our industry for so long,” the COMP chairman added.

Meanwhile, Garganera said Yulo-Loyzaga’s choices of undersecretaries for senior management at DENR “will reveal the kind and direction of environment policies that she will prioritize.” 

“It will be interesting to see how her science-based background will respond to the clamor of the economic team for more mining projects, which Envi science says will increase our risks and vulnerabilities to climate impacts,” Garganera said.

“We hope that she will strongly retain her bias for science and preference for social justice in leading the DENR,” the ATM national coordinator added.—LDF, GMA News