MICC tackles open-pit mining ban next week
MANILA, Philippines — The inter-agency Mining Industry Coordinating Council (MICC) is set to meet next week to come up with policy recommendations on open pit mining in the country, an official of the Department of Finance (DOF) said.
In an interview, Finance Undersecretary Bayani Agabin said a Cabinet-level MICC meeting is scheduled on Oct. 24 to discuss the future policy directions of the government regarding open-pit mining.
Prior the MICC meeting, a technical working group met last Friday to discuss the pros and cons of the ban issued by former Environment secretary Regina Paz Lopez on open-pit mining.
According to Agabin, the MICC decision is only recommendatory to Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu.
“In the end, we will recommend to the DENR secretary. It is up to the DENR secretary to agree to our recommendation,” Agabin said.
Asked if the department order imposing a ban on open pit mining could be reversed, Agabin said it is within “the realm of possibilities.”
Cimatu earlier said the ban on all prospective open-pit mines would stay until the MICC takes up the issue.
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