MANILA -- Mining companies will continue to legally challenge local initiatives to ban mining in its communities as they have been assured the government will continue to be fair in dealing with them.
Ronald Rex Recidoro, vice president for legal and policy of the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines, said mining companies affected by local laws being implemented by local government units banning mining practices in its jurisdiction will continue to question this.
For instance, the Provincial Government of South Cotabato is implementing an environment code banning open pit mining in the province, putting on hold operation of Sagittarius Mines Inc. in Tampakan town. In 2015, Davao City Council also passed an ordinance banning all forms of mining in the city.
“The chamber is ready to assist them (mining firms) if they will ask for our help on legal and other matters,” Recidoro said.
This as he described as welcome development the pronouncement of Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III that strong governance framework for extractive industry, and not arbitrary ban will let the country to move forward.
“This is encouraging for the mining industry, considering that we never heard it from a top government official. We are happy for this statement," Recidoro said.
In his keynote speech at the national conference of the Philippine Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, Dominguez assured mining players the Duterte administration will be “firm but fair” in exercising strong governance while practicing transparency in all its processes to ensure sustainable development.
"The solution is not to arbitrarily ban extractive industries, whatever contractual obligations government has with investors," Dominguez said.
“One could be environment friendly and business friendly at the same time. They are not mutually exclusive inclination. Only the zealots think they are,” he added.
He said there is in fact a need to encourage and not suppress the industry.
“(Mining firms) are necessary to help our economy develop, to bring the revenues that government needs and to create opportunities for the communities that host these industries,” Dominguez said. (NCB)
