DA to propose ways to protect agri resources from mining

AGRICULTURE Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol said he intends to submit a report to President Rodrigo R. Duterte recommending ways to prevent mining from affecting agricultural land.

The measure follows complaints in Zambales, where mining has allegedly affected local fishing grounds.

He said his proposal will involve assessing a mine’s impact on water resources. “Will it spoil our water source that provides water for irrigable agriculture? Will it result in soil erosion or a tailings spill?” similar to what happened in Zambales, Mr. Piñol said in a phone interview on Wednesday.

Mr. Piñol said that some miners in the province have been accused of contaminating fishing grounds.

“The cases cited prove that there have been negative effects on agriculture,” he added, noting that the agency has deployed a team to validate the incidents.

Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Central Luzon Region Officer-in-charge Director Lope O. Cariño disputed the claims, and asked the Department of Agriculture to provide a detailed report on mining’s role in water contamination

“They need to provide proof and submit a report so we can validate the research,” Mr. Cariño said in a phone interview yesterday.

Under the Philippine Mining law of 1995, mining firms are charged a semi-annual fee for damage to land, crops and forest resources, marine life and aquatic resources, and cultural resources, among others.

For his part, MGB Assistant Director Danilo U. Uykieng said that the Environmental Impact Assessment conducted during the application process of mining companies,among other projects, also accounts for agricultural land that may be affected.

“Those concerns have been addressed for some time now,” Mr. Uykieng said in phone interview yesterday. —

UNDER the Philippine Mining law of 1995, mining firms are charged a semi-annual fee for damage to land, crops and forest resources, marine life and aquatic resources, and cultural resources, among others.