Agusan del Norte Gov. Angel Amante-Matba urged Tuesday the government’s mining audit team to consider the sentiments of local government units in host communities.
Matba said in a statement the current audit of mining operations nationwide should not prevent LGUs from kicking out erring mining companies.
“In line with moves towards greater decentralization and federalism, local governments should have more say whether mining companies can stay or must go,” Matba said.
Agusan Del Norte province is host to two mining operations.
Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the Environment Department to conduct an assessment of mining operations in the Philippines.
The audit team is comprised of representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of Agriculture for the effects on farmlands, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the Social Action Center and the Department of Health.
The audit aims to determine the adequacy and efficiency of the environmental protection measures of each mining operation.
It also seeks to identify gaps in environmental protection measures and determine the appropriate penalties in case of violations of the mining and environmental laws.
Matba said LGUs in mining host communities should take the lead in monitoring and ensuring responsible operations, the protection of the environment and the community, and the preservation of natural resources.
“In our case, we always monitored and made sure that tailings and other residues from mining operations in our province never affected the environment and the biodiversity of the province. We will never allow the indiscriminate destruction of our environment and our community,” she said.
Matba said Agusan del Norte had benefited benefitted from mining operations and their multiplier effect, creating thousands of jobs and numerous business opportunities
Matba said the provincial coffers received a big boost by way of more local taxes, while indigenous peoples received monetary benefits.
She added the DENR should be fair with miners, big or small, that comply with all government requirements and standards both for mining processes and environmental management.
“As for erring miners, they should be shut down immediately.” said Matba.