DAVAO CITY—Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Gina Lopez vows to finish the audit of all mining companies in Mindanao next week.
In a press conference at Ateneo de Davao University on Thursday afternoon, Lopez said they are monitoring whether the firms are practicing responsible mining.
She said they are now auditing the Greenstone Gold Mines, San Roque Metals Inc. and Taganito Mining Corp.
“In auditing these mining companies, we will not just look on the technical side but also the social practices, what are the effects of these firms on the residences, water and etc,” Lopez said.
She said she will not be hesitant to impose whatever recommendation the auditing team will submit.
“All those mining companies who will not pass the audit, they will be stopped immediately,” Lopez said.
On Thursday, the DENR suspended the Claver Mineral Development Corp. in Surigao due to several violations committed by the company. Lopez said it did not pass the auditing of the DENR.
She said that the mineral resources in Mindanao must be shared with the people of Mindanao and it should not affect the environment.
Lopez said that in the following days, the DENR will sign a memorandum of agreement with the chief of the Philippine National Police, chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Department of Interior and Local Government secretary for assisting the DENR in protecting the environment.
“The PNP, AFP and DILG will help the DENR in protecting the resources of the country,” she said. “They will not allow any negative project that will affect the environment and commit social injustice.”
Lopez said the stoppage order for the mining companies will not affect the economy.
She said all firms have a rehabilitation budget for fixing the damaged resources of the country.
While rehabilitation is being done, the company must hire their miners and continue providing livelihood to them.
After the rehabilitation program, the DENR will start building an eco-tourism project for the community and to develop the affected area.
Lopez said the billions that the government may lose from closing mining companies can be recovered through the eco-tourism project.
“In Palawan, we developed an area there, we just spent P250,000 but now the community is earning P30 million,” she said.
She said the DENR has created an e-mail address to which people can send their complaints about irresponsible mining.
The people can air their concerns at aksyonkalikasan@denr.gov.ph.