60 participate MGB forum in Cebu

By Hazel F. Gloria

Friday 3rd of August 2012

CEBU CITY, Aug 3 (PIA) -- Nearly 60 participants from the non-government organizations, academe, and other stakeholders attended the forum led by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau in the region (MBG-7) held at the Legislative building, Cebu City on July 24.

MGB-7 Regional Director Loreto Alburo presented the specific provisions of Executive Order (EO) 79 or the new mining policy.

The forum was jointly organized by Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC), University of Cebu-College of Law, Philippine Earth Justice Center Inc (PEJCI), and Sangguniang Panglungsod of the City of Cebu through the office of Councilor Nida Cabrera.

Alburo said EO 79 institutionalizes and implements reforms in the country’s mining sector and considers both economic growth and the environment in its provisions.

“It is a balanced law as it allows an extractive industry for national development without sacrificing the environment and it shows that we can go for ecological conservation without stifling economic growth,” he said.

National Economic and Development Authority -7 assistant regional director Efren Carreon, Gloria Estenzo-Ramos of PEJCI, Glen Green of the University of San Carlos, and Michael P. Enriquez of FDC were the reactors in a four-hour forum.

Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Officer Randy Navarro gave the welcome remarks in behalf of Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.

Meanwhile, Alburo added in his message that EO 79 reinforces environmental protection measures, promotes responsible mining, provides a more equitable revenue-sharing scheme and provides coordinative mechanisms among stakeholders including local government units.

“We now have a new policy that fortifies the existing mining act of 1995 that demands more transparency and accountability in every step towards acquiring a mining right and even beyond the acquisition through provisions of social component of the project,” he said.

The EO also supports the move of Department of Energy and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje on the suspension of issuance of new mining permits as it awaits a legislation rationalizing the revenue sharing schemes and mechanisms. (RMN/HFG/DENR-7-PIA7)