Wednesday, August 20, 2008 New mining EO does not answer IP plight
THE executive order that expanded the power of local governments in screening mine applications does not stop the clamor for the scrapping of the 1997 Mining Act, as this still leads to the eventual destruction of the environment and displacement of residents living near mine site.
This was the view held by the Cordillera Peoples Alliance, in reaction to the issuance of Executive Order (EO) 745, which amends EO 469-A, issued in 2005.
CPA education committee member Santos Mero said the order's intent is good as this empowers local leaders in the preservation of natural resources but what needs to be addressed by government is the approach now being done by mine companies.
To gain easier access to mineral resources without going through some of the processes enumerated in the Mining Act, Mero claimed some mine companies engaged in large-scale mining are also engaged in small-scale mining. "Their strategy is different now," he said adding the group needs to further study the recently issued EO.
EO 745 allows representation and participation of local government units (LGUs) in the Minerals Development Council (MDC) through the leagues of municipalities, provinces and cities, and barangays.
Under the new order, the MDC will be composed of the representatives of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources as chairman and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Finance, National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Agriculture, Department of National Defense, Department of Labor and Employment, Presidential Management Staff, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, National Anti-Poverty Commission, Philippine Information Agency, Chamber of Mines of the Philippines, League of Municipalities of the Philippines, League of Cities of the Philippines, and Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas as members. (RO)
