THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said mining investment in the Philippines reached $2.8 billion in the last six years following the government's move to revitalize the lucrative sector.
In a report circulated to media, Environment Secretary Horacio Ramos said the mining industry has grown leaps and bounds under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo through the issuance of the revitalization program contained in the Executive Order (EO) 270 and the implementation of the multisectoral-approached Minerals Action Plan.
"The revitalization program for the country's mining industry was vigorously pursued by the Arroyo government on the firm belief that the development of our mineral resources, which is so rich, could significantly contribute to our economic growth and reduce poverty, particularly in the countryside."
The Philippines attracted $640 million in fresh mining investments last year, apart from the 17 operational mining projects, which reportedly benefit 996,000 people.
Gross production value from mining, on the other hand, jumped to nearly P106 billion or an increase of 250 percent from P31 billion in 2000.
Ramos said the government earned at least P7.5 billion in the form of national taxes, fees and royalties during that period.
Also, the combined share of the mining and quarrying sector to the country's gross domestic product (GDP) doubled since 2000.
The department said as of last year, the sectors pumped in P100.5 billion or 1.30 percent of the domestic economy, as compared with P21.6 billion or 0.6 percent movement in 2000.
Greening the industry
The environment chief also reported that some 9.24 million seedlings were planted by the mining companies in over 11,000 hectares under the Mining Forest Program of the DENR.
Commitment for social and community development projects is now almost P1.89 billion, according to Ramos, which he said will benefit around 733 host and neighboring communities of mining projects.
Likewise, the geohazard mapping and assessment of the whole country, which is essential for the sustainability of mining activities and disaster management mechanisms, neared its completion as of this writing Saturday.
The DENR said it has completed the geohazard assessment of 1,577 municipalities, or 96 percent of the total municipalities nationwide.
A total of 835 geohazard maps, covering 86 percent of the country, have also been completed.
'Ang Minero' award
Last Friday, President Arroyo was conferred the first "Ang Minero" Award by the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA) for her "unparalleled leadership and support in bringing enlightenment to government agencies and private companies to review and align their ways alongside the principles of sustainability and responsible mining, opening the door to equitable growth and enlightened investment."
Ramos said the President has been active in promoting mining in several international gatherings while ordering the DENR and other concerned government agencies to streamline permit processes to jack up foreign investment.
The Chamber of Mines also acknowledged Arroyo for resuscitating the mining sector and championing responsible mining and sustainable development, which resulted in the industry's growth, including raising revenue of about P100 million in terms of local taxes annually.
Benjamin Philip Romualdez, president of the Chamber of Mines, said the shift in the policy of Arroyo from "mere tolerance" early on in her administration to "active promotion" was the key factor in the industry growth.
"Despite the general negative sentiments (against the industry brought about by disasters and other environmental concerns), the President pushed hard and earned the ire of so many people with her firm policy and determined resolve to revive the mining industry. She actively met foreign investors, asking them to put their money here and she made sure that resources were poured into infrastructures needed by the mining sector," Romualdez said during a mining workshop in Malacanang late Friday.
He said at least $3 billion was immediately invested in the mining sector, while Bataraza, Palawan Mayor Abraham Ibba recognized Arroyo for creating an environment allowing mining companies to reopen in remote areas.
Bataraza hosts the Rio Tuba Nickel Mining and the Coral B Mining Corp. in Palawan, which helped raised about P100 million worth taxes annually that the local town uses for its programs and projects.
"With the operation of both mining companies, a lot of my constituents are employed; taxes worth P100 million a year are paid by the mining firms. The Social Development Mining Project Funds (SDMPF) of P252 million have been paid to the province in 2005 to 2008. For 2009 to 2013 the funds will amount to P616 million," Ibba said.
Jose Boy Anoy, chieftain of the indigenous people in TVI Zamboanga del Norte, said schools, livelihood, and employment generated by the Sustainable Development Mining and Responsible Mining Programs were implemented by the DENR and the mining companies.
Lolita Zaide of Siniloan, Laguna and Sergio Igos of Ternate, Cavite said the President's and the Bureau of Lands' patent program enabled them to get their patents without much difficulty and at the least cost unlike in previous administrations when they were made to comply with voluminous processing requirements.
Zaide and Igos said their respective farms, which they now own, have enabled them to support their families and to send their children to college for their respective careers. (Virgil Lopez/JMR/Sunnex)