Marcos admin urged to adopt industrial policy, alternative mining

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — Environmental and human rights advocates on Monday urged the Marcos administration to adopt a national industrial policy and enact an alternative minerals management law, warning that current mining policies could promote destructive extraction without ensuring Filipinos benefit from mineral resources.

At the Oct. 26 launch of Mining Hell Week, Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) national coordinator Jaybee Garganera criticized the government’s move toward an agreement on Pax Silica and implementation of Executive Order No. 122 on critical minerals, saying the country needed a clear policy to ensure its mineral resources support national industrialization.

“The Philippines must ensure that minerals extracted, and possibly processed within the country, would support national industrialization, rather than simply supplying the needs of superpowers,” Garganera said, referring to geopolitical blocs led by the United States and China.

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Without a national industrial policy, EO 122 could encourage large-scale mining and expose communities to environmental destruction, he warned.

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“EO 122 will only serve to justify rampant extraction and enable sacrifice zones,” Garganera said.

Representatives of mining-affected communities from Romblon and Masbate also raised concerns over the environmental and social costs of large-scale mining.

READ: Why our mining laws are ineffective

Elizabeth Ibañez, coordinator of Sibuyanons Against Mining, said the government had failed to act on their petition to cancel the mining contract of Altai Philippines Mining Corp., despite alleged abuses and violations by the company.

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She said mining threatened Sibuyan Island’s biodiversity and natural resources, which sustain local communities.

In Masbate, Marylou Verano of Ang Aroroy ay Alagaan accused the government of failing to address the damage allegedly caused by Filminera Resources Corp.’s operations.

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“Our waters have been poisoned, our food contaminated by toxic chemicals, and many residents suffer from various health problems,” Verano said, asserting that mining had undermined Aroroy town’s traditional economy.

READ: Protesters seek repeal of mining law

She also opposed the expansion of open-pit mining in Mount Pajo, warning that it could destroy forests that serve as a natural buffer against typhoons.

The advocates called on the government to prioritize food security, land, water, health and livelihoods in mining-affected communities over the expansion of mining projects.

They also demanded the immediate passage of the proposed Alternative Minerals Management Bill (AMMB).

Akbayan Rep. Percival Cendaña also urged lawmakers to pass the proposed Philippine Mineral Resources Act, which he said contained provisions similar to those of the AMMB.

According to Cendaña, the proposed measure would impose stricter environmental standards, expand areas where mining is prohibited and protect indigenous peoples’ rights while ensuring that mineral extraction serves national development goals.

He said the measure would also repeal the existing Mining Act, which he blamed for enabling indiscriminate and destructive large-scale mining.

In a video message, Sen. Risa Hontiveros expressed support for communities opposing destructive mining and called for continued public pressure for reforms.

She urged environmental advocates to keep speaking out and gathering reliable information, particularly amid economic difficulties and the threat of drought associated with the projected Super El Niño.

“During this Solidarity Week, let us strengthen our commitment to stopping illegal and indiscriminate mining wherever it occurs in our country,” Hontiveros said.

During the press conference, the groups also launched “Tingog sang Katawhan,” or “Voices of the People,” an initiative intended to gather Filipinos’ demands and aspirations on environmental protection and human rights.

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The initiative seeks to consolidate proposals for national development beyond what the advocates described as the government’s extractivist approach, which prioritizes the extraction of natural resources. /mcm