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President Gloria Arroyo hinted Tuesday that mining investors could
still explore the country’s rich mineral resources for as long as
they play within the rules, and secure a go-ahead from local
communities hosting mining operations.
During the question-and-answer session after
delivering her keynote speech at the 11th Credit Suisse’ Asian
Investment Conference in Hong Kong, Mrs. Arroyo said that the
impression on the country’s anti-mining stance may have stemmed
from the fact that while mining is a booming industry worldwide, the
Philippines has a staggering “trillion-dollar” worth of
“largely untapped” mineral resources.
Several outsiders observe that while there is an
economic boom in the world, the Philippines is not known to be
pro-mining nor is it particularly active in the mining business.
The Philippine Supreme Court had ruled as early
as 2003 that the mining operations in the country could be 100
percent foreign-owned.
The Chief Executive, who has been focusing on
the three E’s—
Education, Economy and Environment – explained
that there had been environmental degradation left by past mining
operations, resulting in environmental accidents.
This time, however, she said that any interested
mining locator in the Philippines should “know the rules of the
game.”
Interested mining investors should also gain the
acceptance of the local communities where they intend to undertake
mining operations, she added.
The need for the go-signal of the concerned
community is contained in the “social acceptability” clause of
the Department of Environment and Natural Resources rules.
The President said that those intending to dig
for part of the Philippines’ trillion-dollar deposits should start
negotiating with the concerned communities early on, especially on
the issue of environment preservation.
-- Angelo S. Samonte
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