Mining won't be President's concern, clarifies Palace

Malacañang denied Friday a report that mining concerns have been transferred from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to the Office of the President.

In a statement, Press Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye said a newspaper report was misleading in that it gives the impression that all mining concerns have been transferred from the DENR to the Office of the President.

"The text of EO 636 clearly states that it is the Philippine Mining Development Corporation, a government-owned and controlled corporation, that is being transferred to the Office of the President," Bunye said.

He added, "There has been no change in DENR's mandate on mining matters."

The report had noted that President Gloria Arroyo had ordered the supervision of the mining industry transferred from the DENR to the OPS "to closely monitor and oversee the efficient and effective implementation of the country’s utilization and development of its mineral resources."