MinDA: Mining law must be amended

SECRETARY Datu HJ Abdul Khayr Alonto, chairman of the Mindanao Development Authority (Minda), calls for the amendment of the mining law in the Philippines in a bid to positively impact Mindanao.

"The mining law must be amended. We must make it a point that the impact of these resources, strategic materials, these precious metals, fossils, oils must go to enrich not one family but the island of Mindanao. It must go to the people in terms of development and infrastructure facilities in the public that the people can use," said Alonto.

Alonto also pushes for more infrastructures to be put up in Mindanao to lure investors of other industries instead of just relying on the income generated from the mining industries. He added almost 80 percent of the gold mined in the Philippines goes out of the country for export.

"What is the benefit of the people in terms of taxes? It doesn't go to the people," he said.

Alonto said President Rodrigo Duterte is not against mining provided that the mining companies can meet the standards and requirements set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to safeguard the environment. He also mentioned the Australian mining law as one of the model standards that should be followed.

"Much as we want the foreigners to follow the law, we also want the law to be amended so that the income will be shared by our people in terms of infrastructure development," said Alonto specifying the reforming taxes of the mining law as one of the provisions that mostly needed to be amended.

He said the taxes taken from these mining industries after the law would be amended should be used for free education of the Moro children, free medical care, and affordable housing program for the Filipinos.

President Duterte had been vocal about his stand against irresponsible mining in the country and even appointed Secretary Gina Lopez, a known anti-mining advocate to head the DENR.

When Lopez assumed leadership of DENR, she had already suspended mining firms that do not follow the environmental requirements set by the department.

In a separate interview last year, President Duterte said the mining companies contribute an average of P40 billion a year but warns closure of these mining companies if they do not strictly follow the environmental policies of the government. He added that the nation can survive with or without them.

Alonto also added the government will do something to aid the residents living near the mining areas who had been previously promised of a good livelihood and education for their children by these mining companies. (JPA)

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