DENR launches info campaign for responsible mining

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Mines and Geosciences Bureau (DENR-MGB) on Friday launched #MineResponsibility, a nationwide information campaign on responsible mining, to further educate Filipinos about the status of the said industry in the country.

"It is important that the public is informed and involved in the enforcement of mining policies and environmental protection, and that’s what this campaign is really about,” said MGB Director Atty. Wilfredo Moncano in a statement.

“Especially now that mining requirements are more strict than twenty years ago," he added.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu underscored that Filipinos should benefit from the "massive mineral wealth" of the Philippines and that responsible mining is key towards that goal.

“We now have better and stronger policies in place to protect the environment and local communities and to mine with a long-term positive effect," he said.

The DENR cited some of the measures it implemented to promote responsible mining, such as the reduction of the maximum area that can be disturbed by mining companies in an operation.

Expansion of extraction operations may only begin once rehabilitation of the previously disturbed areas have commenced, it added.

Fast-tracking of license applications and waiving excise and income taxes of small-scale mining groups were also initiated to legitimize them and encourage them to be part of their respective localities' Minahang Bayan—a cooperative of small-scale mines operating as one unit under the People’s Small-Scale Mining Act.

Addressing misconceptions about the industry and effectively informing the Filipino communities about the policies in place would spur responsible mining in the country, according to the DENR.

Under the #MineResponsibility campaign, the department will roll out information and education materials in different platforms nationwide until the whole year of 2020.

There are more than 100 active mining projects in the country, of which 48 are metallic mines and 63 are dedicated to non-metallic mine operations, according to the MGB.

Among the mineral-rich areas in the country are Zambales, Palawan, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Benguet, Masbate, Camarines Norte, Davao del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Cebu, and Zamboanga del Norte. —Dona Magsino/NB, GMA News