Chamber of Mines backs P-Noy on mining policy

ITOGON, Benguet – The Chamber of Mines is supporting implementation of Executive Order No. 79 which outlines the mining policy of President Aquino  saying it was crafted through massive consultation with mining stakeholders even as militant groups branded its “favoring the large-scale mining companies.”

We recognize the hard work undertaken by President Aquino’s policy team in considering all the issues brought up by the different stakeholders,” Benjamin Franklin Romualdez, president of the Benguet Corp. and chairman of the Chamber of Mines, said, adding that the policy offers solutions that will encourage responsible development of the country’s mineral resources for the benefit of balanced growth and development in the identified host and neighboring communities of mining companies.

We view the time spent on developing the policy as recognition of the important role of responsible mining as a catalyst for economic growth,” he added, citing that the mining policy is a signal to all investors of government’s desire to establish a consistent and stable business environment founded on a level playing field for everyone. 

According to Romualdez, the Chamber of Mines is hopeful that the Policy will harmonize conflicting interests, encourage investments, and foster sustainable development especially in the countryside where it is greatly needed due to the high poverty incidence whereby government interventions through private investors are needed to create jobs and sustain livelihood opportunities for local residents.

“The chamber respects the decision about closing certain areas to mining.  Environmentally critical and protected areas are, and should always be, preserved for future generations,” he stressed, noting that COMP also lauds the administration’s intent to improve the small-scale mining industry, and to develop downstream industries.

“We appreciate the position recognizing existing operating permits. COMP is committed to cooperate with the executive and legislative branches in developing a rational revenue sharing scheme for the benefit of everyone,” he added, citing that “we submit that legislation should also include a review of the Local Government Code, the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act, and the Internal Revenue Code in a purposive effort to harmonize conflicting provisions of these laws with the mining policy.”

“Our members applaud the Policy’s directive to ensure consistency of local ordinances with the Constitution and national laws, as well as LGU cooperation,” Romualdez claimed, noting that  COMP looks forward to the continuation of the consultative process with the Mining Industry Coordinating Council and  “we view the thorough and deliberate process begun by the Policy team as an effective way to elicit the participation and draw out the concerns of stakeholders in the difficult task of balancing interests.”

He said the chamber understands that the release of the Policy is only the first step towards our shared goal of inclusive and sustainable growth. COMP is committed to move President Benigno S. C. Aquino III’s mining agenda forward.  “We will work with his administration and other stakeholders in finding mutually acceptable solutions to the issues of revenue sharing, environmental protection, and sustainable development. Our entire pledges to assist in the implementation of PNoy’s mining agenda to help attain the objectives of increasing the country’s economic base and of enhancing the growth of communities in remote poverty-stricken rural areas,” he explained. -- Dexter A. See