Cimatu backs Duterte’s stand against irresponsible mining

By

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu expressed his full support for President Rodrigo Duterte's resolve to prioritize environmental protection and his nonnegotiable policy against irresponsible mining.

The President made a very strong point in his second State-of-the-Nation Address with his pronouncement that the protection of the environment must be made a priority over the benefits derived from mining.

"I know for a fact that in a number of cases, weak and irresponsible mining practices result to environmental destruction–contaminating farmlands and poisoning our rivers and seas. Miners better refrain from despoiling our watersheds, forests and aquatic resources," Cimatu said.

He reaffirmed DENR's support for the President in his firm desire to rid the country of abusive and irresponsible miners that are concerned only with profits and care nothing for the environment and our countrymen.

To ensure responsible mining, Cimatu said the DENR will strictly enforce mining and environmental regulations.

"Mining operations found violating laws, rules and regulations will have to pay the price for damages caused, through payment of fines, suspensions or closure, and subject the President and each of the directors thereof responsible for the acts committed by association, corporation or partnership to suffer the penalty of imprisonment at the discretion of the court," he pointed out.

He emphasized that mining in the Philippines can only be responsible if the development of the country's mineral resources will be on the basis of technical feasibility, environmental sustainability, cultural and social acceptability, and financial viability.

"The absence of one will not render a mining project as responsible," he said.