A DAVAO City ordinance banning mining operations all over the city may encourage other local government units (LGUs) to do the same.
Zards Gacad, president of the Philippine Society of Mining Engineers (PSME) told Sun.Star Davao in an interview at the sidelines of the 21st Annual Mining Symposium at Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao yesterday, that the banning of mining operations in the city will adversely affect the industry and will encourage other cities and municipalities to replicate such action.
"For sure, it will cause an impact to the (mining) industry and it might also encourage other LGUs to follow the banning. This is bad news because it dampens the development of our mining industry," Gacad said.
But he emphasized that they are not against the city's anti-mining ordinance, which was recently approved by the City Council and signed by Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte.
"We respect the decision and plans of the city but what we are saying here is even without the banning, if the place is classified as a built-up area with a lot of residents like Davao, mining operations is definitely not allowed," he said.
Meanwhile, the Mindanao Association of Mining Engineers, Inc. (Maem) led the annual event in coordination with PSEM, Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in Davao Region, and Department of Energy (DOE)-Davao.
The event also featured exhibits which showcased the big and small players in the mining industry.
The event carries the theme: "Overcoming Adversities in Energy and Mineral Development thru Responsible Mining."(ASP)