DENR: Presence of foreigners in mine sites ‘always a concern’

The presence of foreign nationals allegedly working in mining operations in the country is a cause of concern for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

At the Saturday News Forum, DENR Assistant Secretary Rochelle Gamboa said, “It has always been a concern.”

The Environment official was sought to comment on a recent raid in Paracale, Camarines Norte, during which 11 Chinese nationals were arrested for working in an illegal mining site in Paracale while having only tourist visas.

Environment Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga said case buildup is ongoing with regard to those involved in the alleged illegal mining operation in Camarines Norte.

The Philippine Mining Act 1995 provides that a mining contractor shall give preference to Filipino citizens in all types of mining employment within the country.

Apart from Chinese nationals arrested in Camarines Norte, Loyzaga said the foreign workers were also apprehended last year in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan “conducting, yes, illegal activities.”

Gamboa said there was a proposal to have a Mines and Geosciences Bureau personnel in each mining project to monitor compliance of mining firms with the prevailing laws.

“I don’t know if that will be pursued or if it is open to mining companies as well… That’s being discussed,” she said.

The DENR official said the alleged illegal mining operation in Camarines Norte is still undergoing investigation “so we can’t provide the data but we will provide as soon as the case has been filed.”

Meanwhile, on the plan to issue an executive order that will address conflicting policies on the mining industry’s fiscal regime, Gamboa said the drafting stage is still ongoing.

“The target is hopefully before the end of the year it [EO] will be issued,” she said.

At the sidelines of the Mining Policy Forum in Mandaluyong City on Thursday, organized by the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines, DENR Undersecretary for Integrated Sciences Carlos Primo David told reporters that a proposed EO will be presented to the President this month.

Under the current fiscal regime, mining companies pay 2% excise tax on minerals extracted outside mineral reserves, while those in mineral reserves pay an additional 5% royalty.

For indigenous peoples communities hosting mining operations, mining companies also pay at least 1% of their gross output. —VAL, GMA Integrated News