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| DENR Sec.Gina Lopez |
MAGAZINE
Published February 16,2017http://magazinereaders.blogspot.com/
Environment Secretary Gina Lopez has admitted she is rushing a series
of controversial decisions because she doubts she could be confirmed by
the Commission on Appointments where her nomination has been formally
opposed by the mining industry.
Ahead of the scheduled March 1 hearing of the bicameral body on her appointment to the DENR, Lopez said she wants to be done with a slew of measures that she thinks are vital to protecting the country's natural resources and prevent despoilation.
The DENR chief, speaking to reporters, admitted she is not a college graduate - in response to critics' claims at the CA that she lacks the academic preparation and experience necessary to head the DENR - but said she had enough experience working with people to know what must be done at her agency.
She also admitted she does not know the intricacies of mining, but stressed that she stands for the common good.
Lopez spoke to reporters after announcing she is set to cancel 75 mineral production sharing agreements (MPSAs) allegedly because the operations covered by these deals are within watersheds.
Sanctity of contracts
The announcement, which followed last week's cancellation of the permits of 23 metallic mineral firms, drew a howl of protest from the business community. The Chamber of Mines of the Philippines reminded her the sanctity of contracts was a pillar of business confidence; and estimated that the cancellation of the 75 deals could spell some $22 billion in lost investments.
According to the Philippine Mining Act, mining projects are prohibited in critical watersheds or those sites needing protection. Lopez said earlier the DENR commenced issuing Tuesday its show-cause orders for holders of non-operating MPSAs to justify, within seven days, why the government agency must not cancel these agreements.
"We're following due process," she said. She said DENR will act accordingly if the MPSA holders fail to respond.
According to DENR, an MPSA is a mineral agreement wherein government -- as owner of the country's minerals -- shares in production of a contractor whether in kind or in value.
In return, DENR said the contractor shall provide the necessary financing, technology, management and personnel for the mining project.
Lopez reiterated her plan for the DENR to spearhead area development in the MPSA areas and other mining sites the agency earlier deemed for closure.
Among those to be affected by the planned cancellation of 75 MPSAs is the Silangan project of Philex Mining and four other Philex projects in Mindanao. Philex said earlier in a statement none of its subsidiary's MPSAs is within a declared watershed forest reserve; and that the MPSAs underwent thorough review by government.
Lopez also wants to cancel the environment permit of the $5.9-billion Tampakan project in South Cotabato, described as one of the biggest foreign direct investments in the Philippines.
$22-B investments
The Chamber of Mines estimates this could wipe out $22 billion in investments that could have created jobs and livelihood to communities covered by the project.
Atty. Deo Contreras, mining consultant, said Lopez "can do well with the Department of Tourism because it's a feeling-good department." However, much of the work at DENR "is technical and affects communities."
The chamber has formally filed an opposition to Lopez's nomination at the Commission on Appointments.
Ahead of the scheduled March 1 hearing of the bicameral body on her appointment to the DENR, Lopez said she wants to be done with a slew of measures that she thinks are vital to protecting the country's natural resources and prevent despoilation.
The DENR chief, speaking to reporters, admitted she is not a college graduate - in response to critics' claims at the CA that she lacks the academic preparation and experience necessary to head the DENR - but said she had enough experience working with people to know what must be done at her agency.
She also admitted she does not know the intricacies of mining, but stressed that she stands for the common good.
Lopez spoke to reporters after announcing she is set to cancel 75 mineral production sharing agreements (MPSAs) allegedly because the operations covered by these deals are within watersheds.
Sanctity of contracts
The announcement, which followed last week's cancellation of the permits of 23 metallic mineral firms, drew a howl of protest from the business community. The Chamber of Mines of the Philippines reminded her the sanctity of contracts was a pillar of business confidence; and estimated that the cancellation of the 75 deals could spell some $22 billion in lost investments.
According to the Philippine Mining Act, mining projects are prohibited in critical watersheds or those sites needing protection. Lopez said earlier the DENR commenced issuing Tuesday its show-cause orders for holders of non-operating MPSAs to justify, within seven days, why the government agency must not cancel these agreements.
"We're following due process," she said. She said DENR will act accordingly if the MPSA holders fail to respond.
According to DENR, an MPSA is a mineral agreement wherein government -- as owner of the country's minerals -- shares in production of a contractor whether in kind or in value.
In return, DENR said the contractor shall provide the necessary financing, technology, management and personnel for the mining project.
Lopez reiterated her plan for the DENR to spearhead area development in the MPSA areas and other mining sites the agency earlier deemed for closure.
Among those to be affected by the planned cancellation of 75 MPSAs is the Silangan project of Philex Mining and four other Philex projects in Mindanao. Philex said earlier in a statement none of its subsidiary's MPSAs is within a declared watershed forest reserve; and that the MPSAs underwent thorough review by government.
Lopez also wants to cancel the environment permit of the $5.9-billion Tampakan project in South Cotabato, described as one of the biggest foreign direct investments in the Philippines.
$22-B investments
The Chamber of Mines estimates this could wipe out $22 billion in investments that could have created jobs and livelihood to communities covered by the project.
Atty. Deo Contreras, mining consultant, said Lopez "can do well with the Department of Tourism because it's a feeling-good department." However, much of the work at DENR "is technical and affects communities."
The chamber has formally filed an opposition to Lopez's nomination at the Commission on Appointments.
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