Government confident to resolve new mining policy issues

MALACANANG expressed confidence Thursday that it can iron out issues raised by a mining stakeholder in the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the new mining policy of the Aquino administration.

Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ramon Carandang said they are closely looking at the concerns raised by the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (CMP) that Section 9 of the IRR is illegal and might impact on future projected investments in the industry.

"We're looking at the concerns that have been raised and I believe they can be addressed," Carandang said.

The CMP has warned that the government might miss its P16-billion investment target for the mining industry because of some provisions in the new mining order.

Carandang said Mining Industry Coordinating Council (MICC) is already looking at the concerns of the CMP and evaluating whether or not they have basis.

He noted that the reason investments have not come into the mining sector is because of uncertain rules and policies in the mining sector.

"Once these issues are ironed out, we believe that we will have a clear set of rules with little ambiguity that will encourage mining companies to come in," he said.

The Palace official likewise said that the government tries to create a set of general principles and rules under Executive Order 79, which will allow more productive and responsible mining operations in the country, adding that the IRR will refine what is contained in the EO 79.

He added that the CMP has been appraised by members of the MICC and that the lines of communication remain open.

"So I don't see any need for the MICC as a whole to meet with the Chamber of Mines at this point. Give us time to look over the concerns that they have expressed and we will do what we can to address them," he said.

Meantime, he downplayed plans to bring the issue to court, saying that it is counterproductive and the best way to move forward is to avoid litigation. (Jill Beltran/Sunnex)