Miners thumb down Mining Act changes

MANILA, Philippines - The country’s mining stakeholders insist that the current mining law is already enough after President Duterte announced he would push for a new legislation involving the industry.

“The President certainly has the power to propose legislation necessary to implement his administration’s agenda. However, we believe the Mining Act is already responsive to the vision and needs of the Duterte administration,” Chamber of Mines of the Philippines Legal and Policy vice president Ronald Recidoro told The STAR.

“The mining act is encouraging and attractive for investors while having world-class provisions for environmental protection and social development. It just needs to be implemented consistently and strictly,” he added.

Over the weekend, Duterte said he would gather all industry stakeholders to discuss his proposal for a modified measure.

Mining industry players, militants and communists, as well as former environment and natural resources secretary Gina Lopez would be called to attend the meeting that will be presided by Duterte.

COMP is open to meeting with the President.

“Clear legislation that actually promotes mining and links the sector to its downstream counterparts in processing and manufacturing will certainly be a clear path. However, if the resulting law will impose unnecessary restrictions on investments, or make mining in the country uncompetitive or unattractive, then our path forward becomes uncertain,” he said.

There are already versions of the Alternative Minerals Management Bill (AMMB), which is being eyed as the replacement for the Mining Act of 1995 in the Senate and in Congress.

According to non-government organizations and other sponsors, AMMB will regulate the mining industry, protect the environment, and ensure that communities benefit from the sector as it will disallow foreign large-scale companies from operating in the country.

The AMMB is seen to encourage Filipino corporations to mine strategic minerals, which can help the country’s national industrialization by modernizing its agriculture and developing its manufacturing industry.

The bill, which was crafted with the help of different advocates, is anchored on land and natural resources management and human rights-based approach.