‘Tampakan ECC to lure more projects to Region 12’

MANILA, Philippines - The recommendation of the Mining Inter-Agency Cabinet Council (MICC) on the Tampakan mining project’s environmental compliance certificate (ECC) would “boost investors’ confidence and attract more projects” in Region 12, according to the Regional Development Council (RDC) 12.

“The MICC makes decisions based on merits and compliance of existing laws which is good for the business climate,” said RDC 12 council member Vispocious Ramos Sr.

This, according to Ramos, “will make the goals of economic development and prosperity for Region 12 and Mindanao very achievable for the private sector.”

The issuance of the Tampakan project’s ECC “is a big stride for the private sector groups in Region 12 who are supporting this mining project,” he said.

With local private sector groups lobbying support for the project, RDC-12 has declared the $5.9-billion Tampakan mine a flagship project for the region.

As early as 2009, RDC-12 passed Resolution 69 “adopting the mining project as a flagship project and endorsing it as a key project in Mindanao’s minerals development plan.”

“This project is unprecedented, adding 11 percent annually to the regional gross domestic product for Regions 11 and 12,” Ramos said.