Farmers, small miners seek scrapping of Mining Act

Source: Sunstar Davao

March 3, 2011

AROUND 30 farmers and small-scale miners from Compostela Valley province and Paquibato District in Davao City staged a rally Thursday in San Pedro Street against the negative impact of the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.

Spearheaded by Panalipdan Southern Mindanao, the protesters called for the junking of the widely contested Mining Law.

Panalipdan secretary general Francis Morales said the Mining Act is the culprit behind the massive pillage of the country's mineral resources and the destruction of thousands of hectares of forest areas, watershed areas and water systems.

"The people have long been demanding for the scrapping of this unconstitutional law and we urge President (Benigno) Aquino to listen to the call of the people and mother earth," Morales said.

With the enactment of the Mining Law (Republic Act 7942) in 1995, Morales said "the government must remain its control in mining industry to avoid foreign monopoly in the mining industry."

"Technology, research should be maximized to develop sound small scale mining practices. Mining should not be allowed within the areas of great environmental significance," he added in a statement.

As an alternative, Panalipdan SMR said it supports House Bill 4315 or An Act Re-Orienting the Philippine Mining Industry.

Also called the "Peoples Mining Bill," this alternative mining policy aims to address the need for an alternative framework for the mining industry that should be anchored on the principles of social justice, respect for peoples' rights and welfare, environmental conservation, defense of national patrimony and national industrialization.

Partylist representatives Teddy Casiño, Luz Ilagan, Neri Javier filed House Bill 4315 before the Lower House on March 2. (Jhun Gatmaitan)