Press Release
October 8, 2009

CHIZ SAYS AMENDMENT OF MINING ACT TO BENEFIT LGUs

Opposition Sen. Chiz Escudero wants to amend the Mining Act so that provinces like Palawan could benefit from the minerals that are reaped from the extraction of natural resources in their areas. He made this position clear at the ANC's "Face to Face" forum Tuesday morning.

"Based on my research for the past two years, mineral deposits that can be extracted in the whole country could reach US$1 trillion. This is a gift given to us by our Creator and we have a right to capitalize on this without abusing it and without foreign intervention," He said in reply to Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn's question about equitable revenue sharing in mining resources.

The Philippines has the fifth largest mineral deposit in the world, the fifth biggest in gold, the ninth biggest in copper, and 20 percent of the world's nickel.

He said that he did not agree with how the Department of Environment and Natural Resources handled the issue of Ore Transfer Permits (OTP). "I completely oppose the setup where only the DENR Secretary is allowed to issue the OTP through an administrative order," he said.

Escudero favors allowing the OTP to be issued by local government units. He said that LGUs should also benefit from their own minerals. However, he clarified that the National Government should also be part of these efforts to safeguard the environment. He also cautioned the 100 local leaders who participated in the forum to be responsible.

"If we see the national government as a 'big brother' in your local resources, it should also be up to them to see who abuses it. If we share some of the authority to the LGUs, it should also be the leaders who would be held accountable in their jurisdiction," he said adding that communities and people have shared responsibilities.

He said that the national government should always be part of the process when it comes to issuing permits and handling crises.

"I will assure you that you still need the national government since it would be difficult to protect your resources without asking for our help. I still believe that local government leaders have no right to deplete resources within your particular areas. Let us not waste what was preserved to us by our ancestors. Let us just use whatever we need to use," he said.

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