Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga promotes a scientific approach to managing the country’s natural resources including minerals to help the Philippines become a more competitive economy.
Loyzaga, speaking to a group of journalists at Discovery Primea in Makati City Wednesday, underscored the need to manage the mining sector using best practices that proved effective in other countries.
“We need to realize how this country can be competitive and at the same time manage its resources,” she said.
She said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources was looking at mining practices in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and other countries “where compensation is happening”.
“The reality is that nothing will ever be the same, but what we have to do is compensate,” she said, referring to the role of companies in rehabilitating other areas as a way to offset or compensate for the damage on project sites.
Such compensatory approach includes requiring companies to engage in rehabilitation projects as well as social development and management programs.
The DENR is expected to release a more detailed policy on this approach soon.
Loyzaga said she also supports plans to create higher value for Philippine minerals by promoting local processing.
The DENR earlier started a review of Republic Act 7076 or the People’s Small-scale Mining Act and RA 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act to determine if they are consistent with other environmental laws such as Clean Water, Clean Air, Solid Waste and Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Acts.
Loyzaga, who has a Master’s degree in Government, International Relations from Georgetown University and is a former chairperson of the International Advisory Board of the Manila Observatory, also promotes science-based approach to address climate change.
She led the DENR in using geospatial data including satellite images and geographic information systems to monitor the country’s natural resources.