Total mining ban is unreasonable

WHILE Neal Cruz is correct in saying in his May 24 column that many companies have filed applications for mining operations in Palawan, only one or two may eventually be allowed to set up shop because of the stringent requirements of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, as well as the provincial government.

As to his fear that public officials may be bribed by mining companies so they would approve mining applications left and right, that has apparently not happened at all, since there are only three large-scale mining operations in the province, all of which enjoy social acceptability by their host communities.

It is true that mining can be very destructive to the environment. We only have to look at Marinduque’s sad experience in the 1990s to see how mining can wreak havoc on the environment. But since then government has tightened the rules on mining operations and “responsible mining” has now become the norm. Responsible mining means that mining operations should protect rather than destroy the environment and be consistent with the principles of sustainable development.

It doesn’t make sense for a country to leave its mineral resources untapped when it can very well use these for its own economic and social development. To call for a total mining ban anywhere in the country may be unsound and unreasonable because natural resources can be harnessed in a responsible manner toward eradicating poverty and uplifting the quality of life of Filipinos.—GERARD MOTUS, [email protected]