THIS is in reaction to Neal H. Cruz?s Sept. 21 column on mining.

Cruz?s thinking hews closely to the stand of the Catholic Bishops? Conference of the Philippines, which opposes mining because of its negative effects on the environment. The CBCP has issued a pastoral letter condemning the ?uncontrollable plunder of the country?s resources? in which ?no material gain can equate with the value of life.?

What is the material gain we can derive from mining? Mitchell H. Hooke, chief executive officer of the Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) was quoted by the Inquirer as saying that the Philippines? estimated reserves of valuable mineral deposits are worth around $850 billion to $900 billion. Australian-based stock brokering financial outfit Macquarie?s figure is close?$840 billion.

Filipinos keep boasting of valuable ores which, if extracted, would be enough to pay the Philippines? foreign debt of $40 billion.

But the big question: Is the Philippines ready to extract these resources considering such factors as the intervention of the religious sector and environmentalists, corruption in government, lack of technical know-how, absence of a clear-cut policy or implementing rules and regulations and, most importantly, lack of investment capital?

Think about this: The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has reported that foreign investments for the period 2004-2008 (Q3) reached $1.9 billion. And foreign investments on mining, particularly from Australia, are coming, especially now that the People?s Republic of China is installing a massive railroad network that requires millions of tons of manganese and iron ores.

Think also of this: Australia, Canada, Africa, South America have already developed environmental impact assessment systems. And who are their mining engineers and mining scientists? They are Filipinos, from our country?s brain drain. Ask these professionals why they left the Philippines and they will say: we are not comfortable with corrupt governors who issue mining permits for a few dollars more per metric ton and with ?bantay kalikasan? NGOs, whose members are pseudo-environmentalists ignorant of the technical aspects of environmental protection. Sometimes, they are only ?hintay lagay? (waiting for bribes or kickbacks) from foreign investors.

Much more needs to be done to develop mining in our country?in approximately 12.2 million hectares or about 40.65 percent of the Philippines? total land area. Despite some defects in governance, laws and systems, it is still worth investing and mining in the Philippines.

?ISIDRO C. VALENCIA,

Building 33, Room 022,

Bagong Lipunan Condominium,

Taguig City