DENR wraps up review of mines suspension next month

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is set to release next month the final assessment of the mining contracts which have been ordered suspended and canceled by the agency’s former secretary Gina Lopez in an intensified government crackdown on mines deemed destructive to watersheds.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu said the department intends to finalize all responses for show cause orders and appeals of the mining companies, some of which have reached the Office of the President (OP).

“We are doing everything to fast track all these things but we are not yet prepared to make some announcements. I would like to do that by the end of next month,” Cimatu said on the sidelines of the opening of the R&D Congress on Sustainable Urbanization in the Course of ASEAN Economic Integration yesterday.

During her stint, Lopez ordered the closure of 23 mining firms and the suspension of five others.

This was followed by the revocation of 37 mineral production sharing agreements (MPSAs) in Mindanao, 27 in Luzon and 11 in the Visayas which are either under exploratory stages or for possible developments.

Environment Undersecretary Demetrio Ignacio added the agency is hoping to complete and come out with the results of the assessment of the appeal by the end of July.

“Those appeals with the OP will still go back to DENR for implementation whatever decision it may be. If Malacañang says that yes they should be closed, we will issue the order to close them. If no and they should remain open, then we will be the ones to do the safeguards,” Ignacio said.

The DENR originally targeted to release the results last May but deferred it due to transition of leadership following the rejection of Lopez.

“I have to slowly go into these issues on mining. I will concentrate first on environment as there are several laws that should be prioritized but it does not mean that mining is not a priority,” Cimatu said.

Meanwhile, the DENR will also compel companies to pay up for their respective violations.

“The Secretary is very particular and that the law should be followed. We have due process and it will go through administrative proceedings. Depending on what violations they committed,” Ignacio said.