CBCP opposes lifting of open pit mining ban

An official of the humanitarian, development, and advocacy arm of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) urged Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy Cimatu to act in compliance with President Rodrigo Duterte’s order against destructive mining. (Photo: Senate of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA — An official of the humanitarian, development, and advocacy arm of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) urged Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy Cimatu to act in compliance with President Rodrigo Duterte’s order against destructive mining.

With this, National Secretariat for Social Action (NASSA)/Caritas Philippines Executive Secretary Fr. Edwin Gariguez believed that Cimatu should not accept the proposal of the Mining Industry Coordinating Council (MICC) on the possible lifting of the ban on open-pit mining.

“The lifting of ban on open pit is MICC recommendation. Cimatu should make a stand not to accept it, as President Duterte himself committed in his State of the National Address that he will not allow destructive mining,” he said.

On Tuesday, the MICC has voted to reverse the policy banning the mining activities which was approved by former DENR Secretary Gina Lopez.

It was reported that Cimatu had said that majority of MICC members had voted to recommend a change in the policy of the DENR with regard to its Administrative Order (DAO) 2017-10.

Most of the inter-agency members want the ban to be lifted, provided that mining laws, rules and regulations are strictly enforced.

Cimatu co-chairs the MICC with Department of Finance Sec. Carlos Dominguez III.

Last April, Lopez has issued the said DAO banning the open pit mining and has also ordered the closure of 23 mining operations in the country.

Cimatu, however, replaced Lopez to the post after she was rejected by the Commission on Appointments.

The NASSA/Caritas Philippines has been supporting movements and initiatives towards climate justice, fighting the illegal and irresponsible mining practices in the country.