Vice President Leni Robredo said she would declare no-mining areas through an executive order should she win in the May 9 presidential polls.
“I am not for an absolute ban on mining. I am for more responsible mining,” Robredo said during an online dialog with female lawyers who are supporting her presidential bid.
Robredo said she would certify as urgent the proposed National Land Use Act, which would identify no-mining zones even as she is ready to issue an EO.
She underscored the importance of holding genuine consultations with communities where mining projects operate.
“Usually, consultations will be called and something will be offered that shortchanges the community. The community will accept that the consultation is limited to that. For me, no mining operations will resume if we don’t fix this,” she said.
“We will put up mechanisms so that the voices of the indigenous peoples who will be affected would be heard,” Robredo added.
Robredo said he also wants to revoke President Rodrigo Duterte’s EO No 130 that lifted the moratorium on mineral agreements,
In December, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources lifted the four-year ban on open-pit mining for copper, gold, silver, and complex ores.