Mining agenda mars DENR-NGOs’ partnership launch

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Angelo Reyes was caught by surprise the other day as the supposedly sweet partnership between the government and non-government organizations (NGOs) for the environment turned bitter during the launch of the agency’s Kabalikat sa Kalikasan.

The reason: environmental groups retreated from supporting the partnership as they rejected Agenda No. 6 of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ 12-point agenda for sustainable development in the next five years.

Agenda No. 6 stipulates the national government’s policy to "revitalize responsible mining" through the development of 24 medium and large-scale mining projects in the country. The government expects to generate $1.8 billion in investments from mining over the next five years.

"We cannot be a kabalikat if we are in a conflicting paradigm," said Angelina Galang, director of the Public Education and Awareness Campaign for the Environment of Miriam College.

"(Agenda No. 6) is a statement for the environment... why do they have to put something that is destructive (to the environment)? Mining, in general, is destructive to the environment," she added.

According to Galang, stakeholders had argued against the inclusion of "revitalized mining" in two meetings prior to the launch of Kabalikat sa Kalikasan.

She said the DENR twice pledged to strike out Agenda No. 6, thus it surprised them that it was included in the materials distributed to the participants and the media during the launch.

"I don’t know if the Secretary is aware... I understand mining will go on because it is legal (because the Mining Act is still there). But do not put it on the 12-point agenda for the environment," Galang said.

"Because if you want to protect the environment, it should be a holistic approach... You do not put something or do something that would counter the gains of protecting the environment," she added.

Aside from Galang’s group, the Haribon Foundation for the Conservation of Natural Resources, which is at the forefront of environment and wildlife protection and conservation, also left without signing the statement of support for the Kabalikat sa Kalikasan.

"I’m deceived... We really want to work with the DENR because this is a well-meaning program... (but the) agenda should be pro-poor and pro-environment," Galang said.

The DENR held two workshops for the Kabalikat sa Kalikasan in April and May, gathering some 40 academic, religious, industry and people’s and civic organizations.

The workshops tackled numerous issues on the protection of the environment and sustainable management of natural resources, including the 12-point DENR agenda.

For his part, Reyes said the DENR’s 12-point agenda is in line with the national government’s policy.

"We cannot go against the national policy. That is why we have this Kabalikat sa Kalikasan so that we will be able to sit down and talk about the issues with the stakeholders," he said.

Reyes said the partnership aims to prevent cause-oriented groups from picketing the DENR offices to air their grievances on environment-related issues.

"The DENR is open to ideas and comments. We are ready to dialogue with them, take note of their concerns and perhaps, make the necessary adjustments," he said.

Reyes said the Kabalikat sa Kalikasan should provide the venue for the exchange of information, expertise, lessons, and ideas between the government and the different groups which have a stake on the environment within the context of partnership, complementation, and transparency.

Reyes said the partnership aims to establish a sounding board for proposed policies, policy amendments, and programs and projects.

"We are too engrossed on discussions or issues that divide. This is the time for us to unite for an enhanced environment," he said.

The DENR also launched the other day its newly designed website (www.denr.gov.ph) and new text messaging service — DENR Textcast 5777 — to increase public awareness of the importance of environmental protection and conservation.