DAVAO CITY—Incoming Department of Environment and Natural Resources secretary Gina Lopez will have to adjust to the “responsible mining policy” of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte.
In a media briefing here, incoming presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said that when Lopez—an anti-mining advocate—accepted the invitation to join Duterte’s Cabinet, it meant she would follow whatever guidelines that the President would give.
“The fact that she accepted it, it means that she will advocate the position of the president,” Abella said.
“The president is not anti-mining. He actually supports each and every venture that contributes to the health of the Philippine economy,” he said.
“What the president is demanding is that those who do that must be very careful,” he added.
On Tuesday, Duterte told the mining companies during a speech at a business forum here: “You have to do it right. If you cannot do it, then get out of mining.”
Duterte has also asked miners to apply the standards of responsible mining practiced in developed countries such as Canada and Australia, to ensure the protection of the environment.
Abella said a responsible miner will replant the trees that were cut during their excavation while the irresponsible miner would just leave it as it is.
He also said mining companies must be careful in making sure that any toxic chemicals do not get into the water.
Lopez, whom Duterte appointed as Environment secretary, has gone around the country campaigning against mining, particularly in Palawan and other eco-tourism sites, advocating the need to protect the country’s rich biodiversity.
Lopez’s appointment as Environment secretary had sent mining investors in panic and stocks entered a third day of volatility.
Stock analysts say investor jitters are seen to continue until Lopez presents her mining policies.
Mining and oil, which consists heavily of miners, lost 736.48 points, ending at 10,715.36 as of noon Thursday. The PSE index was almost flat, closing at 7,767.06.
In January 2013, Lopez rallied with residents in the seven towns of Surigao del Sur to oppose mining in eco-tourism sites. She also urged them to join her in generating 10 million votes for the Save Palawan Movement.
At the International Conference of Mining in Mindanao held at the Ateneo de Davao University in January 2012, Lopez asked if it is possible to have “responsible mining if government has a problem with governance.”
“The fact is, people are suffering and government has not demonstrated the ability to protect our people. Should we go on in this enterprise when we can’t even assure the well being of our people?” she asked.
Lopez, scion of the Lopez group which owns broadcast giant ABS-CBN and has vested interests on power generation and energy, explained her opposition to mining last Tuesday.
“Mining has a pathetic track record. Pathetic. Wherever there’s mining, the people are poor. So why are we doing it? It’s crazy,” Lopez said in an ANC television interview.
“For me, large scale, small scale, it’s just…when you destroy the environment and you cause suffering to our rivers and streams, our agricultural land, our fishery resource, you kill everything. Is it worth it?” she said.
The DENR post was among four departments that Duterte offered to the Communist Party of the Philippines “if they decide to join my government” but later withdrew the offer, saying there are serious problems particularly on mining that would require the active role of the military.
In his victory party at the Crocodile Park here, Duterte warned large-scale mining firms that are destroying Mindanao that they have no place under his administration. He vowed to give priority and assistance to poor Mindanawon miners who will band into a cooperative.
“The mining people must shape up,” said Duterte as he cited the destruction wrought by big mining firms, especially in Surigao. “You have to stop,” he said.
Philex Mining Corp. said Thursday it is open to working with Lopez to help improve the country’s mining industry.
In a statement, Michael Toledo, MVP Group Media Bureau head and senior vice president for Public and Regulatory Affairs at Philex, said that the president-elect has every right to appoint whoever he deems fit to become the next secretary, not just on a matter of competence, but also on a matter of trust and confidence as a member of his official family.
“Philex has committed to support President Duterte and his drive against illegal and irresponsible mining,” Toledo said.
“We are open to sitting down and working with the new DENR secretary to further the president’s call, to stamp out the illegal and irresponsible miners who give the industry a bad name,” Toledo added.
Toledo said that Philex has adhered to “doing what is right” according to international standards, in response to the president-elect’s statements made at the recent Sulong Pilipinas Davao conference.
Toledo said that Lopez should be given a chance as she is a known advocate for climate change and environmental protection.
“I understand that she has made recommendations to President Duterte on how to move the industry forward; we are always open to working with whoever would want to improve the industry and move the nation forward towards economic development and inclusive growth,” Toledo said. With Anna Leah E. Gonzales