MGB believes there is responsible mining in Palawan

Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB)-MIMAROPA Regional Director Rolando de Jesus believes responsible mining exists in Palawan with the mining operations for nickel laterites of Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corporation (RTNMC) in Rio Tuba, Bataraza, and Berong Nickel Corporation (BNC) in the municipality of Quezon. Through “Sulong Palawan”, a radio program that discusses mining exploration and operation in the province, De Jesus said that as a regional director of the MGB that pushes responsible mining practices, he believes “there is responsible mining” contrary to what anti-mining groups continue to claim.Responsible  mining, the MGB regional director explained, also begins with them in the provision of approval for mining exploration.“First is exploration to ensure there is deposit. If there is confirmed deposit, we will proceed to determine this, its grade and its quantity. If the grade and quantity are low, what is the use of allowing? Not only that, if the fund for operation of a certain mining company proposing is not enough to fulfill his environmental and social commitments, we do not allow them,” De Jesus stated.He said their current direction from Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Ramon Paje is to “weed out undesirable proponents, those who merely speculate” to push for a stronger responsible mining in the Philippines, including Palawan. Commenting on mining activities in Palawan, De Jesus said he believes that as the “last ecological frontier”, the province should be protected against irresponsible mining practices and unscrupulous mining proponents. This is also the reason the MGB, he claimed, is seriously scrutinizing all mining proposals in Palawan.“Among all industries, mining is one that really faces difficulties when it comes to obtaining permits to operate from the government. I can honestly say, and I am proud to say that before we allow any mining proponent to explore and operate, we give consideration to all laws, including engagement of the National Commission for Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) on the subject of the free and prior informed consent (FPIC)”, he said.Permits, he asserted, are not provided to mining corporations that fail to get FPICs and that fail to obtain the endorsement of the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) as mandated in Republic Act 7611, also known as the Strategic Environmental Plan for Palawan.“We do not give permits to the mining proponents that fail to get the endorsement of the PCSD that’s why it’s not easy. Besides, there are other documents for them to submit”, De Jesus furthered, adding that mining proponents do pass through the needle’s eye before they can begin exploration and operation in Palawan.What is good in Palawan, the regional director said, is that there is “transparency” when it comes to mining exploration and operation. All stakeholders, including non-government organizations (NGOs) that are anti-mining, have participation in ensuring responsible mining through the multi-partite monitoring team (MMT).The MMT is composed of representatives from the DENR, the MGB, local government units, NCIP, and other public and private stakeholders. The MMT monitors everything from a mining company’s operation, environment rehabilitation and development plan, to its implementation of social development and management program (SDMP).

By Tristan Ray I. Besa
The Palawan Times