Senate sets public hearings on proposals to amend Mining Act

The Senate committee on environment and natural resources will begin next week its hearings on various proposals seeking to either amend or repeal the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.

Sen. Pia Cayetano, chairperson of the committee, said her panel would also look into alleged violations of environmental safeguards by small-scale miners and encroachment of ancestral lands by mining firms without securing the consent of indigenous peoples in the area.

Cayetano and Sen. Loren Legarda filed Senate bills 767 and 1531, respectively, seeking to modify certain provisions of the Mining Act or Republic Act 7942.

SB 767 mandates an independent health and environmental impact assessment of communities in the vicinity of mining sites. The mining firm will also be required to shoulder the medical treatment of residents for any illnesses attributable to the mining activity.

SB 1531, on the other hand, seeks to exempt from mining applications areas declared as “no mining zones” by local government units.

Recent reports said Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn had declared a moratorium on large-scale mining in his city in Palawan while several LGUs, like Roxas City in Capiz, filed resolutions calling for a local mining ban.

Cayetano said the two measures were aimed at strengthening the decision-making of local governments with respect to mining. These will also make mining firms more directly accountable to the community where they operate.

SB 187, filed by Sen. Jamby Madrigal, seeks to repeal the Mining Act altogether due to its supposed ill effects on the environment and the indigenous communities.

During Monday’s hearing, Cayetano said her committee would also look into several resolutions calling for an inquiry into the reported violations of mining firms, including in Sibuyan Island in Romblon and in Tubay, Agusan del Norte.

Cayetano herself filed Resolution 209 looking into the reported malpractices of some small-scale mining companies, particularly the use of heavy equipment allowed only for large-scale mining operations and exceeding mineral production limits contrary to the People’s Small Scale Mining Act of 1991 (RA 7076).

Representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, LGUs, environmental groups and the academe have been invited to attend the hearing.