A special program and funding should be created and set aside for indigenous peoples (IPs) “who suffer the brunt of irresponsible mining,” Partido Reporma presidential candidate Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said in Baguio City that grew from a mining settlement in the mineral-rich Cordillera mountains.
Lacson also underscored his support for responsible and sustainable mining, which could help boost the country economically as it continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that irresponsible mining was another offshoot of the corruption that he aims to eradicate from government.
In the hybrid dialogue and press conference with members of Rotary Club International District 3790 Cluster 1C and the media, the longtime public servant and his running mate, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, were asked about their stand on mining, which Baguio and Benguet province are known for, and their take on the seemingly slow development of the industry.
Lacson noted the ban on mining had recently been lifted by the Duterte administration in a bid to raise more revenues and help the country recover from the pandemic and stressed that responsible and sustainable miners should be supported.
Meanwhile, the three-term senator said indigenous peoples such as the native tribes of the Cordilleras were suffering from irresponsible mining, since corruption gave illegal miners an escape at the cost of residents near areas replete with gold, silver, copper, and otherprecious-metal deposits.
“The problem is mining is irresponsible. Again, we go back [to the root]. Why? Corruption again, right? The program for IPs, because they are the ones there [near mine areas], they are the ones who suffer when irresponsible mining firms leave their [operations], leave the environment [in ruin], the IPs are those who suffer in the long term,” Lacson said.
“I think there should be a program to attend to the needs of the IPs, particularly for the long-term. Responsible mining is not the problem,” he added.
Although the Philippine mining industry only contributed some P189-billion to the country’s gross domestic product, Lacson said it has great potential with the reported trillions of dollars’ worth of mineral wealth just underneath the ground waiting to be brought up responsibly.
“Especially now that the world is going toward electric cars, and electric battery cars [are needed] … Nickel and other minerals are needed and we have more than enough to mine,” he said.
The Lacson-Sotto tandem attended the event with Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who endorsed them for President and Vice President in the May 9 national elections. The duo then headed to Pangasinan and Nueva Ecija to complete their weekend northern sortie.
