‘DEATH SENTENCE’ | Advocates blast Cimatu, DENR for lifting ban on open-pit mining

December 29, 2021 , 11:29 AM

By Beatrice Puente

(December 29, 2021) – Environmental advocates sounded the alarm over the lifting of the ban on open-pit mining by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), raising concerns about the detrimental effects this would create on nature and far-flung communities.

Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM), a coalition that challenges large-scale mining in the country, was among the first to condemn the administrative order issued by DENR secretary Roy Cimatu, describing it as “a cruel Christmas gift.”

“At this time when climate change brings devastating typhoons such as Odette, lifting the ban on open-pit mining is a short-sighted and misplaced development priority of the government,” said ATM in a statement, slamming President Rodrigo Duterte for his “flawed economic agenda.”

ATM Reaction on Signing of DAO 2021-40; on DENR Lifting of the Ban Open Pit Mining#BanOpenPitMining #NeverForgetDU30EO130 pic.twitter.com/pmfe4QCuLJ

— Alyansa Tigil Mina (@atm_philippines) December 28, 2021

Cimatu, a retired military general, insisted that allowing open-pit mining would help create jobs in rural areas, expecting that this decision would contribute to the country’s recovery amid the COVID-19 crisis.

Wilfredo Moncano of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau defended the DENR’s move, insisting it was not short-sighted. He estimated that the slated mining projects would yield P20 billion to P300 billion in the next few years.

“It takes maybe another seven years before the company is at the peak of their production level, maybe 10 years,” said Moncano on the ABS-CBN News Channel. “It’s actually looking at the future—paying for the loans that had been secured by the government to pay for the cost of the pandemic.”

Cause-oriented groups and several politicians also aired their disappointment, with senatorial aspirant Neri Colmenares likening the decision to “a death sentence” to the environment. Teddy Baguilat Jr., also a senatorial hopeful and a voice of indigenous people, meanwhile, expressed his disgust.

Open pit mining is the most environmentally destructive form of large-scale mining. The DENR’s decision to lift the ban is a death sentence on our forests, rivers, mountains and the communities that depend on them. https://t.co/P8sz92snsL

— Neri Colmenares (@ColmenaresPH) December 29, 2021

Kwartahan na. At the expense of the environment, biodiversity and people. Open pit mining in PH is simply export ng ating mineral ore sa ibang bansa. Tayo ang napipinsala, iba ang nakikinabang. https://t.co/GsFsrdoDlg

— Teddy B. Baguilat (@TeddyBaguilatJr) December 27, 2021

For communities already made vulnerable by destructive mining and still reeling from the effects of Odette, the lifting of the ban on open-pit mining is like being hit by another Category 5 storm. pic.twitter.com/U1BAlGPCPH

— Maria Victoria Z. Maglana (@MagsZMaglana) December 28, 2021

pic.twitter.com/x60OpEtP5K

— Nature Party of the Philippines (@NaturepartyPh) December 28, 2021

Sandugo, a group advocating for the rights of indigenous people, lambasted the DENR for prioritizing profit at the expense of the environment and ancestral lands. Renato Reyes of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan also raised questions on the decision, which reversed the order of the late Gina Lopez, Cimatu’s predecessor as DENR secretary.

This government has to make sure to make profit even at the end of Duterte’s reign. This will be at the expense of…

Posted by Sandugo – Movement of Moro and Indigenous Peoples for Self-Determination on Tuesday, December 28, 2021

Duterte regime lifts ban on open pit mining.

The lifting of the ban on open pit mining was dated December 23, when…

Posted by Renato Jr. Reyes on Tuesday, December 28, 2021

Oppose destructive open-pit mining! Only corporations profit from it while surrounding communities, mostly marginalized, suffer from pollution and climate-related disasters. https://t.co/YUWEYaES2G

— Mangingisda #154Anakpawis (@MangingisdaSays) December 28, 2021

Netizens also joined the conversation, slamming Cimatu and the DENR for “betraying” their mandate to the country. Others couldn’t help but remember Lopez who staunchly advocated for the protection of the environment.

Lopez had noted that open-pit mining had a “destructive nature” which had a potential for disaster. She also said this form of mining was a “financial liability, poses risk to host communities, and kills the economic potential of the community.”

Duterte, in an order last April, also lifted the moratorium on new mining agreements that had been imposed since 2012, angering environmental advocates. Duterte said the revenues can support projects like his “Build, Build, Build” program.

(PM)

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