MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte has lifted the nine-year-old ban on new mining projects imposed by former President Benigno Aquino III in 2012.
This is to support the country’s economic growth and fund the administration’s multi-billion peso infrastructure projects.
It was stated in his Executive Order No. 130 that the government “may enter into new mineral agreements, subject to compliance with the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 and other applicable laws, rules, and regulations.”
The lifting of the ban was made after the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) conducted a thorough review of the mining industry and has put in place additional rules, regulations, and policies to ensure that mining operations observe environmental protection.
Duterte said that the mining industry has contributed to the provision of raw materials for the construction and development of industries and job opportunities in rural areas.
The EO, released on Thursday, tasked the DENR to continue granting and issuing exploration permits and formulate the terms and conditions in the new mineral agreements.
Furthermore, it ordered the DENR to review all existing mining contracts and agreements for possible renegotiation of the terms and conditions that are mutually acceptable to the government and the mining contractor.
On the other hand, the Department of Finance and the DENR will take measures to rationalize existing revenue sharing schemes and mechanisms./PN
