Mining to become sunset industry – Rody

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Mining and logging will be sunset industries in the years to come.

This was how President Duterte described the state of the two sectors as he rallied efforts to preserve what’s left of the country’s natural resources.

“There has to be a limit, and along the way, if God grants me life, for six years flat, we will realize that dream because ayaw ko na talaga (I really don’t like it anymore). After so much, there should be no more mining,” the President told participants yesterday in the “Oya Mindanao” environment summit at the Ateneo de Davao University. 

He added he would no longer allow even the cutting of a single tree as he intends to kill logging in the country.

“If there are 24 hours in a day, logging is already too late and it’s on the 25th hour. We cannot cut trees anymore.” 

The President said he is aware that his move to stop mining would make some people mad, particularly the ones he called the “oligarchs.”  

The President also lamented how certain elected and appointed officials involved in environmental concerns are making money because of the power they wield over those engaged in the mining industry.

“Many will get angry. Many would like to maintain the status quo. If they are there, they wield power. Maybe elected, appointed officials would hang on to that,” he said.

The President decried that such practice forms part of what is really a corrupt society that “sucks, stinks.” 

“That is why slowly, I will destroy such system and open all opportunities for all Filipinos – irrespective of tribe or religion. You should understand that it is about time that we reconfigure the wealth of the nation.”

Duterte lamented how the mining industry has benefited only a few who transmit their incomes abroad after taking advantage of the country’s fertile soil. 

“We will go after mining that do not follow the strictest standards. I am telling you that the best mining practices can be found in Canada and Australia. If you cannot follow that standard, then I am sorry, and yet again even if it’s legal, we can only hold so much… that is why mining has to stop.”

“How many holes are there if you give everyone who has money to apply (for mining permit)… it would be a wobbly island. Maraming tubig na hindi naman dapat yan (Too much water that should not be there). Although there is water and God created the planet that there is water here, there is soil and there are rocks, and you say it is legal and you issue permits and you number to a thousand… whether it is legal or not, it will destroy the country,” Duterte said.