ATM reaction to the Chamber of Mines statement in the DENR Mining Audit

Our view is that the DENR Mining Audit was an exercise that was long-delayed and necessary. The Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (CoMP) is now accusing the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) of being punitive, when the government is merely performing its regulatory function. The hostile reaction of CoMP to the results of the mining audit reveals the arrogance of an industry used to having their way because of their regulatory capture of the DENR under previous administrations. Without foreseeing the change that Pres. Duterte and Sec. Gina Lopez is ushering. The DENR didn't change any "rules of the game". They merely realized and decided to implement the mining laws and policies that were already there, most of them even part of their own mining contracts. This reaction also flies against the CoMP's own previous statements that they are willing to engage this government to implement "responsible mining". The audit results show that we are very far from achieving that goal, and the CoMP's immature reaction will continue to make "responsible mining" a myth.

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Alyansa Tigil Mina is an alliance of mining-affected communities and their support groups of NGOs/POs and other civil society organizations who oppose the aggressive promotion of large-scale mining in the Philippines. The alliance is currently pushing for a moratorium on mining, revocation of EO 270-A, repeal of the Mining Act of 1995, and passage of the Alternative Minerals Management Bill.

For more information:

Jaybee Garganera, ATM National Coordinator 09175498218 – nc@alyansatigilmina.net

Karl Isaac Santos, ATM Media and Communications Officer 09173011934 – media.comms@alyansatigilmina.net