Is Secretary Gina Lopez of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources competent to handle the demands of her job?
There’s no doubt that she is very passionate about protecting the environment. But that doesn’t mean that she should neglect or ignore the other aspect of her job, which is to make our bountiful natural resources, such as minerals, serve the goals of economic development.
Lopez has ordered the closure of 23 mining companies and the suspension of five others for alleged violation of environmental laws. She has also cancelled more than 70 mineral processing sharing agreements because she said these would be done in watershed areas. She made these decisions without even hearing the side of the mining companies. In fact, she even declined to reveal the results of the DENR audit of the mining operations. The mining firms are correct in saying that they were flatly denied due process and are asking the Commission on Appointments to reject her appointment.
The TV station that her family owns aired live her confirmation hearing, obviously to condition public opinion in her favor. A confirmation of her appointment would be a grave injustice to the 60,000 mining workers and the 1.2 million Filipinos dependent on the mining industry for their livelihood.
Her antimining stance will deprive the national government and local government units of much-needed revenues from mining operations.
President Duterte should dismiss Lopez from his Cabinet as she is not an asset but a liability in his drive to accelerate socioeconomic development and to bring about genuine change in this country.
JOSELITO MATIAS, jomats1018@yahoo.com