Malacañang eyes rationalized policy on mining

Malacañang has created an inter-agency group that will study and come up with a more defined and rational policy on mining. The policy will preserve bio-diversity in mining areas and protect the interest of the minors employed in the industry, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a press briefing on Thursday. Lacierda said President Benigno Aquino III met with the heads of several concerned agencies and discussed key areas of concern regarding mining and its effects on the places of operation. He was referring to the departments of Justice, Local Governments, Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources, and Social Welfare and Development. “There was a decision to make sure that certain mining policies be defined, be fine tuned, and issues between local laws and national laws on mining be further clarified," he said. Lacierda also said that there was discussion on who should regulate the operation of small-scale mining in the country. He said another issue discussed was about child labor. “They are being used in mining [areas]. The Department of Justice was there to make sure that our laws are enforced. The Department of Social Welfare and Development was also told to make sure that all children are protected." Also present during the meeting were advocates, headed by Gina Lopez, opposing mining in some areas, and the head of the Pasig River Reclamation Commission. “Gina Lopez came here [Thursday] with her advocacy on Palawan. She gave us a presentation on her opposition to the mining in Palawan because it's one of the most rich bio-diversified areas in the world," Lacierda said. “[Lopez's] position was that she's not against mining everywhere... She only asked that mining in certain areas be banned," he added. Last week, Malacañang ordered all concerned agencies to strictly enforce regulations on mining after a landslide killed several miners in Compostela Valley last Friday. – MRT/VS, GMA News