Pacquiao says no to total mining ban
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Manny Pacquiao said Friday he is against banning mining in the Philippines despite its adverse environmental impacts as he argued that the extraction of minerals can be kept “responsible.”
“Okay naman ‘yun basta responsible at hindi ka nakakasira ng kalikasan,” Pacquiao said in an interview with television host Boy Abunda.
(It’s okay as long as it’s responsible and will not damage the environment.)
Environmental impacts such as water pollution and destruction of key biodiversity, and protected areas have been documented in mining sites.
Alyansa Tigil Mina earlier said that “responsible mining” has no legal definition so there are no parameters to measure, making it difficult to hold mining firms accountable if they fail to be responsible.
The presidential aspirant said the number of mining projects in the country will be controlled, when asked if he will uphold the Duterte administration’s order that lifted a nine-year-old moratorium on new mining agreements if he wins in the May polls.
In December, the Department of Environment and Natural resources also issued a directive lifting a four-year-old ban on open-pit mining.
“For example, in Mindanao, in that area, only one license should be granted and there should be a limit. The government needs to focus on monitoring open-pit mining,” Pacquiao said.
Pacquiao also said that miners should conduct rehabilitation programs to avoid the further degradation of the environment.
In a separate interview with Abunda, Vice President Leni Robredo said she would scrap the Duterte-era order, identify no-mining zones, and listen to communities affected by mining projects.
Presidential aspirants Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Panfilo “Ping” Lacson also believe that “responsible” or “sustainable” mining could be done in the Philippines.
Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, for his part, said the mining industry should be strengthened to create more jobs.
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