House nears declaration of mining-free zones

February 28, 2017

The House committee on natural resources chaired by Partylist Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate of Bayan Muna has approved proposals to declare North Cotabato and Cagayan de Oro City as mining-free zones and  to declare as closed to mining applications those areas in the country which have been declared by local government units as no-mining zones.

Zarate is author of House Bill 1618, seeking to declare as closed to mining application those areas declared by local government units as no-mining zones, amending for the purpose Republic Act 7942, also known as the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, a statement from the House of Representatives said Tuesday.

Zarate said being an extractive industry, mining poses great threats to the fragile environment. He said local government units must be given the right to chart the destiny of their environment.

“This bill seeks to do that by including among the areas closed for mining applications those places which have been declared by LGUs as no-mining zones,” Zarate said.

He cited local government units in the provinces of Davao, Capiz, Marinduque, Palawan, Romblon, Negros Occidental, Eastern Samar, and South Cotabato have passed ordinances declaring a ban on mining operations or have issued a moratorium on mining applications.

“By supporting our LGUs through a law that will uphold their power to regulate mining, just like what then Davao City Mayor now President Rodrigo Duterte and the city council did in declaring Davao City a mining-free zone, LGUs all over the country will be more empowered and responsible to their constituents,” said Zarate.

Zarate stressed that the LGUs’ role should be recognized in the protection and preservation of the country’s environment and natural resources as a legacy for the present and future generations.  “With this, the people will participate more in the decision-making processes of the State,” he said.

Another proposal approved by the committee is HB 2852, authored by Rep. Jose Tejada  of North Cotabato, which seeks to declare his province a mining-free zone and provides penalties for the violation of the act.

Tejada said North Cotabato is rich in natural resources, and has a highly diverse culture and strategic trading site in Central Mindanao. The province’s economy relies on farm production activities and agribusiness.

North Cotabato is also considered as Mindanao’s food basket because it is a major producer of cereals, tropical fruits, vegetables, sugarcane, coconut, coffee, freshwater fish and livestock.  It is one of the country’s leading producers of raw and semi-processed rubber and industrial trees, with markets in Asia and Europe.

The committee also approved with an amendment HB 4799 which is authored by Rep. Maximo Rodriguez Jr. of Cagayan de Oro City. “Mining has adverse effects both to humans and the environment.  Aside from adding toxic chemicals to the ore, it strips-off large areas of top soil of flora and fauna,” said Rodriguez.

The amendment provides gravel, sand and other non-metallic minerals will be excluded from the coverage of the proposed law.

Rodriguez said Cagayan de Oro City has suffered from flash floods, and mining operations in Barangays Dansolihon, Mambuaya, Taglimao, Tapangi, Tuburan and Tumpago have been blamed.

He said flashfloods destroyed not just properties but also agricultural areas and farm-to-market roads. Citing the progress reports of the Region 10 Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC), which is based in their city, he said for the month of January 2009, flashfloods affected many persons and families. The flashfloods also damaged 141 houses and partially damaged 1,410 properties, costing about  P1.9 million as of January 8, 2009 only.

“To prevent flashfloods from recurring, mining operations in Cagayan de Oro City must be totally prohibited. Hence, I urge for the passage of House Bill 4799 which seeks to declare the City of Cagayan de Oro a mining-free zone,” Rodriguez added. DMS