MICC pledges...

ing people.

"Each TRT may conduct the review individually. A TRT shall be compensated on the number of report reviewed (per mine), which shall be completed in seven calendar days. The compensation should be subject to the regular government accounting and auditing procedures," a previous MICC resolution reads.

It was the MICC's third meeting since Lopez ordered last February 2 the closure of 23 mine sites and the suspension of five others on environmental grounds.

When asked if she already changed her mind regarding the said orders, Lopez, who was also present in the meeting yesterday, said she believes that "the MICC (review) is still recommendatory."

"I haven't changed my mind (on my orders). It's only the DENR that can review the operations of the mine. What the MICC will do is bring the whole auditing to another level," Lopez said.

DENR Undersecretary for Legal Maria Paz Luna, for her part, said that because of this review, "other agencies can help" the DENR gather more facts about the mining operations.

Meanwhile, Lopez is confident that she will be reappointed after the Commission on Appointments (CA) bypassed her confirmation two weeks ago.

"He said he will reappoint me that's what I heard and he was so supported," Lopez said. "We will have a cabinet meeting by April 3 so we will see."