Gov't creates multi-stakeholder review on mining industry

The inter-agency Mining Industry Coordinating Council (MICC) on Thursday announced the creation of a multi-stakeholder review to advice the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on the performance of mining companies in the country.

In a resolution signed by MICC Co-Chairs Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III and Environment Secretary Regina Paz “Gina” L. Lopez, they said the MICC has created a multi-stakeholder review that is expected to center on the 28 companies – 23 ordered closed and five suspended – affected by the recent closure and suspension order of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

LOOK: Joint statement of Sec. Dominguez and Sec. Lopez || @gmanews pic.twitter.com/eca7UrexxS

— Jon Viktor Cabuenas (@jvdcabuenas) February 9, 2017

“Pursuant to EO No. 79, the MICC shall create a multi-stakeholder review and advise the DENR on the performance of existing mining operations in consultation with local government units (LGUs),” the resolution read.

“The review shall be based on the guidelines and parameters set forth in the specific mining contract and in other pertinent laws, taking into account the valid exercise of the State’s police power to serve the common good, especially of the poor,” it added.

Asked what the review will be for, Dominguez said it will provide assistance and guidance to the DENR.

“Essentially, the council will assist DENR. There are considerations to be taken and the government has to prepare for the fallout on those decisions,” he told reporters in briefing following the MICC meeting in Manila City late Thursday evening.

“We just want to assure everybody, including local government units that may be affected, that there will be a process of listening to them in this whole process,” he added.

The stakeholders, Dominguez said, will be composed of a “very large” group from the members of the MICC.

“It is a combination of the economic cluster and the climate change cluster. There will be a technical working group that will be identified,” he said.

For her part, Lopez said that while she is open to looking at new information that the multi-stakeholder review may find, she will still with her decision to scrap all mines operating in watersheds.

“My stand right now given what I know is that there should be no mining in watersheds... My decision will always be in the side of the common good,” she said.

She noted, however, that “perhaps a multi-faceted solution to the problem may come up.” —JST, GMA News