SEPT.

18, 2012

NR # 2866C

Irresponsible mining shortchanges our children and their future -- Belmonte

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. today stressed the need for a long-term plan for the sustainable development of the countrys mineral resources. What we face today is global and unabated environmental degradation. What we need today is a new paradigm shift adopting a new way of thinking that is in line with notions of sustainability, the House leader stressed before officers and members of the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines. Belmonte called on all stakeholders to consider themselves as stewards, not merely as users and beneficiaries of precious natural resources, which is a role they have played for too long. It is high time that we see ourselves as stewards of our countrys mineral resources. For a change, let us give, because we have taken and will continue to take, he said. Stewardship, Belmonte stressed, demands a strong sense and acceptance of responsibility which demands the participation of everyone the government, the mining firms, the communities and the people. Borrowing the immortal words of an Indian Chief Chief Seattle during his time, Belmonte recalled, We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children. I am very sure that not one of us here would consider shortchanging his children and their future, he said, stressing that we need to ensure that the overall benefits from mining activities unquestionably outweigh the overall costs. The long-term plan, he said, will help define the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders, and set an underlying development framework by which all stakeholders can peg their goals and activities on. The House leader was Guest of Honor at the Mining Philippines 2012 Conference and Exhibitions at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel. Also present were Deputy Speaker Jesus Crispin Remulla other distinguished guests and leading representatives of the industry.

The Speaker insisted that the challenge facing all stakeholders is how to enlarge the pie of benefits so that all stakeholders are properly compensated, and we have the available resources to ensure the proper management and protection of the environment. Belmonte noted that from 2008 to 2011, the mining sector contributed roughly one (1%) percent to GDP each year, with a P99.2-billion contribution in 2011. Jobs created have increased from 158,000 in 2008 to 210,000 in 2011. The long-term program, he added, should reflect the official government policies and directions on mining, and serve as the clear basis for development reforms. Inconsistencies in government policies and private sector activities will be avoided because all players will commit themselves to the plan, Belmonte said. Belmonte was pleased to note that Section 8 of EO 79 provides that concerned government agencies, the mining industry and other stakeholders shall submit, within a period of six months, a national program and road map based on the Philippine Development Plan and a National Industrialization Plan. Said plans, he said, will be crucial for the development of value-adding activities and downstream industries for strategic metallic ores. The plan should involve more processing, more value addition, and more downstream activities that lead to communitybased supplier industries and services. He noted that in 1995, Republic Act 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act was enacted and hailed by many as very progressive and liberal, and yet socially and environmentally sensitive. Sadly, however, as is the case in other well-intentioned and reformist legislation, the limiting factor is implementation, Belmonte lamented. Among other economic concerns, constraints and constitutional limitations, Belmonte cited his long-proposed reconsideration of the economic provisions of the Constitution which tend to restrict growth and progress. I propose that the constitution be amended not by categorically reassigning equity proportions (60-40 equity limitation on foreign ownership of land and natural resources) to Filipinos and foreigners, but by allowing Congress to enact the laws that would define foreign participation and nationality requirements in strategic sectors of our economy, he pointed out. (30) dpt