DENR chief: Govt to protect responsible mining investments

President Benigno Aquino III has given orders to all government agencies involved in mining the country’s natural resources to protect responsible investments. “This was the marching order of the President when we met in a recent forum up north," Department of Environment Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Ramon Jesus Paje told reporters Tuesday. “He had instructed us to guide and assist mining companies in dealing with government agencies, private sector, and the different stakeholders," said Paje. Despite the government’s bullish stand on mining, the Aquino administration vowed not to overlook health, social, and environmental concerns. According to the DENR chief, only mining companies with serious intentions to develop claims will be entertained. “We will review the entire processes involved in the environmental and social impact assessment and the free and prior informed consent, and make sure the interests of the mining companies and the communities are protected, Paje said. There are 2,600 mining claims in the country, but only 21 companies are involved in projects, DENR records showed. The government also intends to raise much needed revenues from mining companies. “But we will not touch your income; we will just make sure you pay the right and proper taxes," Paje said. “The president has identified mining projects as public-private sector partnership. We will follow the president’s lead and go to that direction," the secretary said. To ensure transparency in all mining-related transactions involving government agencies, the department said it has started instituting a process — ahead of the Freedom of Information bill pending in the House of Representatives — by making all contracts and documents accessible via the DENR website. — VS/LBG, GMANews.TV