To end mining, Duterte says Congress must repeal law allowing it
MANILA, Philippines — Congress has to repeal the Philippine Mining Act to put an end to mining, which has caused environmental destruction and triggered deadly landslides, President Rodrigo Duterte said Monday.
During a post-disaster meeting in Benguet, Duterte blamed mining for the landslides, which he said has "contributed a lot of heartache to the Filipino people."
"If we cannot end mining because of the law, to end mining... Congress will have to abrogate the law," Duterte said.
"Mining has been operating in this country uncontrolled," he added.
Typhoon Ompong has left more than 60 people dead, most of them in landslides that hit the Cordillera region. Duterte said the Philippines faces a "double whammy" because of the landslides triggered by mining, noting that the country's location makes it vulnerable to typhoons.
"The mining industry, it has not contributed anything substantial to the national economy...I admit we earn P70 billion a year...In the end, how much do you lose in the process?" the president said.
Duterte said it is time for the environment department to "take a second look" at the "dangerous open pit mining."
Last July, Duterte said he was keen on banning open-pit mining, saying the method has caused massive environmental destruction and landslides.
In 2016, the environment department under former secretary Gina Lopez implemented a ban on open-pit mining, believing the tailings spills associated with the mining technique has caused disasters. She also ordered the closure of more than 20 mining companies that violated environmental regulations.
Last year, Duterte disregarded a recommendation of the interagency The Mining Industry Coordinating Council to lift the ban on open-pit mining, saying the method is destroying the environment and displacing fishermen.
Last Sunday, Duterte said the Philippines should "make a stand" on mining within the year but did not elaborate.
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