Saturday, January 12, 2008 Arroyo orders environment protection
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to strengthen the existing measures to ensure the protection of the environment despite existing mining operations in the country, Deputy Presidential spokesman Anthony Golez said.
He said the President has reaffirmed the government's support to the growth and development of the mining industry but it expects the mining operators to do their share to protect the environment.
He said Arroyo's order to DENR specified that existing measures should "ensure that mining operations are socially, economically and environmentally sustainable, with broad community and political support."
Arroyo recently met with members of the Iloilo Quarry Permittees Association, Inc. (Iqpai), composed of 48 members who are involved in sand-and-gravel and other small-scale mining in Iloilo, which committed its support to the government's greening program through the establishment of a five-hectare forest plantation in Dingle in Iloilo.
"I am pleased that Iloilo quarry operators are working with the government through DENR to establish a five-hectare forest plantation in Dingle, Iloilo. This is a very good step in the right direction for the mining industry." she said.
Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Jose Atienza Jr. said DENR and Iqpai is recently signed a memorandum of agreement in response to the Department's call for all sectors of the society to help strengthen the government's greening efforts throughout the country through President Green Philippines Program (GPP).
Under the agreement, Iqpai has committed to establish a five-hectare forest plantation within the 854-hectare Bulabog-Putian National Park in Dingle to help in the restoration and rehabilitation of the protected area, and to provide the funds needed for labor, materials, maintenance and other expenses for the project.
Iqpai president Joebert Anares said the funds would be drawn from their mine rehabilitation cash fund and they intend to expand the forest plantation by another five hectares every year in the next five years or until it reaches a total of 25 hectares. (JMR/Sunnex)
