Gina Lopez video

Banks or restaurants, no difference when it comes to not following the law. CEBU CITY MAYOR TOMAS OSMENA, on a restaurant that allegedly served food with roaches

So there’s this video of Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Gina Lopez explaining the due process given to mining companies that her good office ordered shut down recently. Here are her main points:

1. All mines (in the country, we imagine) were audited by some seven to eight teams visiting the various concerned areas. Each team was composed of, among others, “a mining engineer, a barangay captain, DOH, water experts, NGOs,” etc. – which was in essence multi-sectoral. We love that word, “multi-sectoral.” It speaks of thorough representation.

2. After the investigation, each mining company was given a copy of the results of the audit. We are thinking: but of course. Due process requires this, that any company government investigates is furnished a copy of the investigation results.

3. The mining companies were then given seven days to reply to the audit results. Us: yes, due process requires that said company be given the opportunity to defend itself.

4. DENR in seven-eight committees then investigated the replies of the mining companies, to validate their replies. Us: of course.

5. Based on #4, the DENR decided to close 15 mines in watersheds, seven in Sorsogon because of “heavy, heavy silting,” and so Sorsogon and Dinagat can “rest.” This column stands with many in agreeing that mines have no business being in watersheds and that abused mining areas have to “rest.”

6. The DENR secretary has money, quite a lot, to use in these areas so they don’t have to depend on mining. We agree that these moneys have to be managed properly.

There’s more, dealing with a suicide spun to make it seem like the mines closed and so the suicide happened. And that jobs lost were not there to begin with, mining being seasonal.

The Gina Lopez video should be on everyone’s to-watch list because it makes clear what the Duterte government is doing insofar as mining and the environment, our environment, the global environment. Baguio and Benguet included, where there is much mining done.-- from Sun.Star Baguio