House panels OK bill on legislative franchise for mining firms

THE joint panels on legislative franchises and natural resources of the House of Representatives expanded congressional authority by approving an unnumbered substitute bill, which would require mining companies to secure legislative franchise to operate in the country.

The substitute bill, which combines proposals by Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez of Davao del Norte, Majority Floor Leader Rodolfo Fariñas of Ilocos Norte, Minority Leader Danilo Suarez of Quezon, among others, was unanimously approved late Wednesday.