THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources clarified Monday that mining companies were furnished with the mining audit reports.
DENR made the statement following reports mining audit reports were being kept by Secretary Regina Lopez and a handful of her consultants.
DENR Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Maria Paz G. Luna clarified the reports and the respective show-cause orders were immediately provided to all 41 affected mining firms.
“Beginning October up to November last year, each mining firm was sent a copy of the individual report through registered mail, informing them of the findings and recommendations of the audit team,” said Luna.
Luna said attached to the report was the show-cause order.
She added in the cover letter, the mining firms were also told that any explanation and/or comment to the said report should be submitted to the Office of the Secretary within seven days from receipt of the report.
“As proof of their receipt, all 41 responded to the report which then became one of the basis [sic] of the evaluation and decision to either close or suspend their operations,” Luna said.
Luna said the audit reports were public records, and everyone could get a copy as long as they follow the procedure in the DENR Freedom of Information Manual, citing media and the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability as among those given out copies of the mining audit report.
According to Luna, the printed copies of the reports are available at the Legal Office of the DENR.
She said reports and recommendations of the Technical Review Committee are also available at the DENR website.