DENR probes ‘midnight deals’

ENVIRONMENT Secretary Gina Lopez has ordered the investigation of alleged “midnight deals” involving some Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and mining companies granted extension or expansion of their operations during the last days of

Acting on a complaint from the Alyansa Tigil-Mina (ATM), Lopez demanded an audit of all mineral production sharing agreement ( MPSA), commonly known as mining license, approved by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in May and June

In a press statement, Jayvee Garganera, ATM National Coordinator, said a dozen mining firms were granted extension of their MPSA by then MGB Director and now undersecretary Leo Jasareno despite an executive order issued by then President Be the issuance or renewal of

Executive Order ( EO) 79 states that no new mineral agreement shall be issued by MGB pending the approval of a legislation clarifying the existing revenue- sharing scheme and mechanisms for

"The extension of mining licenses by MGB is questionable since it was against the order of PNoy, who was still Worse, some of these licenses were expansion of contract areas, meaning expanded op

He said these “midnight deals” were approved just days The MGB's website showed that Jasareno approved some of the licenses on June 28 this year, just two days before President Rodrigo Duterte as

The companies that were given an extension are Sino in Dinagat Island; Surigao in Surigao Del Norte; Chr - -

Those awarded with license for expansion of operations are Adnama Mining Resources Mining and Trading; Kingking Stagno Mining; Sinophil Min - Resources Inc; Surigao In Exploration; and Westchina

Lopez, in ordering the probe, wants to find out who gave Jasareno the go- signal to to