Environmental safety is critical, says new DENR chief

Environment Secretary Regina “Paz” Lopez said on Friday that an audit of all existing mining operations is in the making as part of a process to weed out illegal and irresponsible miners in the country.

“I’m not against the mining industry but I’m against suffering. If they cause suffering [we will have to shut them down],” Lopez told reporters on her first day in office as a member of President Duterte’s team.