Ms. Gina Lopez: Uneducated biases must end

In recent years, if there was a confirmation that generated a lot of interests, it should be that of then DENR Secretary Regina Paz L. Lopez. Running amok in several instances, she closed down several mining operations under suspicious circumstances. These were closures and suspensions of operations that meant losses of thousands of jobs and billions in taxes.

To recall, even before Ms. Lopez was appointed DENR secretary, she already made several anti-mining statements in industry forums. Among others, she emphatically claimed that “mining communities were among the poorest in the country” and that “whether large-scale or small-scale, mining is grossly irresponsible.” 

These sweeping pronouncements were, however, quite uneducated. For one, to say that mining communities are among the poorest in the country is downright false. As Cebuanos, we are living witnesses of how the families in the immediate environs (in Toledo City) of the then prosperous Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corp. (now, operated by its subsidiary, Carmen Copper Corp.), lived and enjoyed abundant lives. Thus, it is understandable why mining industry players were crying foul. 

True enough, in most natural-resources-abundant far-flung regions and provinces, the opportunities are crystal clear. Apart from the not-so-manpower oriented tourism related industry which normally thrives along beaches and shorelines, some areas that are figuratively and literally remote are richly endowed with mineral resources. Contrary to some cause-oriented groups’ claims, the mining industry has continued to provide opportunities in the countryside.

Indeed, today, it is totally undeniable what the mining industry has done and can still do.  For one, it prevents rural exodus. Rural exodus or rural flight refers to migratory patterns that normally happen in a depressed region or province. Due to limited opportunities, there tend to be a movement of people from the rural areas to the urban areas. The search for better lives has always been their common denominator.   

Moreover, due to this notable contribution of the mining operations to the economic well-being of our rural folks and its commitment to build better road network,  insurgency has stopped to flourish. In fact, apparently disadvantaged, in order to assert their (insurgents) continuing presence and scare away investors, they try to terrorize mining firms unceasingly. 

Worse, they went to the extent of terrorizing tribes of our indigenous brothers (who are now gainfully employed) who have already frowned upon their recruitment activities. Truth be told, not long ago, they attacked the indigenous group headed by Datu Kalpito Egua in Sta. Irene, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur for refusing to cooperate. 

Had it not been for the non-confirmation of Ms. Lopez, these past efforts will all just be for naught as all mining operations may just be shut down completely. Consequently, not only will all these mining companies shall lose billions in properties, all mine workers will also be rendered jobless and, therefore, penniless as well. Moreover, some small businesses, like eateries and convenience stores that thrive within the vicinity, had to close as well. 

Therefore, had it not been for the non-confirmation, some of these mine workers and small entrepreneurs, may just have to join the long queues of economic migrants leaving the country or join the insurgency movement. Or, probably, some may just have to find their luck in the urban areas. More likely, they shall squeeze themselves through a phalanx of shanties along river banks and creeks adding to a growing population of informal settlers. Or worse, they might just help pad the already burgeoning list of criminals in highly urbanized cities.  

Truth to tell, there are perceived and real downsides in mining. Mostly, these are perpetrated by irresponsible mining companies that never cared about the environment.  Undeniably, however, responsible miners did not just help mitigate damaging consequences of mining but have continually poured billions of investments in the countryside. 

Notably though, something has to be changed as far as rehabilitation is concerned. As we all know, rights owners claim thousands of hectares for open pit mining operations. Operationally, these are divided into several phases. As we’ve observed, though responsible miners rehabilitate these areas, they do so after the entire area is done. So that, we may ask, why can’t they do the rehabilitation right after a phase is done? That way, as they move to the succeeding phases, the rehabilitation is just a phase behind.

Hereafter, as Ms. Gina Lopez leaves and her uneducated biases disappear, we hope a suitable secretary will be appointed. A secretary who shall lead us in wholeheartedly striking a good balance between economic development and environmental preservation.