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The Executive Order setting the Aquino Administration’s mining policy has been released.

The bottomline: mining will still be allowed but strict environmental safeguards are required. The power of local governors to issue small scale mining permits has been curtailed. Mining is prohibited in 78 eco-tourism areas.

 The EO took 9 months to finalize. Pro environment groups headed by Gina Lopez, Bebet Gozum and Neric Acosta had called for a moratorium on the issuance of mining permits.

The Chamber of Mines welcomes the new EO on mining but CBCP bishops led by Bishop Broderick Pabillo are insisting on a moratorium.

At the stage of our economy and high poverty levels, we need to allow mining to tap the $840 billion mining reserves we have to provide government revenue and jobs. The US, Australia and South Africa have implemented responsible mining regimes.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said that local government executives are set to question the EO in the Supreme Court.

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GOOD NEWS . . Travel + Leisure magazine has named Boracay as the top island destination in the World. The ranking are:

1. Boracay 93%                        2. Bali 90.41%.

3. Galapagos 89.55%              4. Maui, Hawaii 89.53%

5. Great Barrier Reef 89.28% 6. Santorini, Greece 89.28

7. Kauai, Hawaii 89.09%        8. Big Island, Hawaii 87.95%

9. Sicily, Italy 87.84%            10. Vancouver, Canada 87.4%

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CRIME WATCH . . The NPAs have released 3 mining executives they abducted in a raid on their company in Rosario, Agusan del Sur.

Ex-Mayor Constancio Pacanan Jr. of Mationg, Eastern Samar was shot dead at the Welfareville compound in Mandaluyong.

NBI agent Delbi Omanio, 47, shot his neighbor Anselmo Moredo, 38, in Pasig City.

The Alyansang Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luzon insists that the murder of Dutchman Willem Geertman is a case of extrajudicial killing and not a simple robbery case.

Former Muntinlupa Mayor Santiago Carlos was stabbed several times by 4 men in Alabang, Muntinlupa.

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POLITICAL UPDATE . . Vice Gov. Yeng Guiao of Pampanga is running for Congress in the 1st District of Pampanga. Incumbent Rep. Tarzan Lazatin is running for Mayor of Angeles City.

Former Rep. Gilbert Remulla is making a political comeback by running for Congress in Cavite’s 7th District against a brother of MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino. Incumbent Rep. Boying Remulla is graduating.

Sen. Antonio Trillanes has formally joined the Nacionalista Party (NP). NP president Manuel Villar administered his oath of affiliation. The NP is asking for 4 slots in the coalition ticket for LP.

Sen. Miriam Santiago reiterated she is not resigning as Senator. Not yet anyway. Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is set to run again for mayor in Davao City. Incumbent Mayor Sara Duterte will run for Congress against Rep. Carlo Nograles in the 1st District.

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CHA CHA AGAIN?. . There’s talk of Cha-cha again in the air. Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Speaker Feliciano Belmonte are set to meet about it. Senator Joker Arroyo said it is time to amend the Constitution.

After using up 5 months on the Corona impeachment, valuable time will be used again to debate Cha-cha.

The President will not be receptive to Cha-cha as it might reduce his present wide powers.

Senators are opposed because the Senate might be abolished. Religious groups are afraid their tax exemption might be removed.

Let’s forget the idea.

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JAWORSKI, JAWORSKI . . We attended the ceremonies at the Araneta Coliseum honoring Robert Jaworski Sr. retiring his no. 7 Jersey after 23 years of playing and coaching basketball.

Called a living legend, Jaworski shone as a UE warrior, a Toyota and later a Ginebra player. He also successfully coached Philippine teams in the Asian Basketball championships.

Congratulations for a job well done, Bobby, coach, sportsman, senator and idol to thousands of fans.

More power Barangay Ginebra.

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CJ UPDATE . . The JBC list of nominees is down to 22 as 2 more nominees were disqualified, one for having an administrative case and another for being over 70 years old.

Some sectors are expressing concern over a survey being taken to determine public preference for the Chief Justice post. That’s out of order and will constitute undue pressure on the JBC. Pardon me for saying this but the choice of Chief Justice should not be a popularity contest.

Its even worse if the survey is meant to favor a certain candidate for the job. To begin with the public do not have sufficient knowledge on the qualifications of the 22 nominees.

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ANTI TB CAMPAIGN . . Kagawad Rannie Raymundo of Barangay Greenhills, San Juan has launched TODO. “Tuberculosis Out, Disease Out” Tuberculosis awareness campaign.

He started it Nov. 2011 in San Juan City. After reading our column Search for Truth, he decided to go nationwide as national coordinator of Agilang Pilipino and in cooperation and coordination with barangay health workers of different LGUs.

First stop: San Pedro Laguna’s Barangay San Vicente with Kapitan Allan Mark Villena with the support of Vice Mayor Norvic Solidum.

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TIDBITS . . . DENR Sec. Ramon Paje said he has filed charges against 176 DENR personnel. That’s widespread corruption.

Floods hit several villages in Sultan Kudarat.

CHED Secretary Patricia Licuanan is not in favor of moving school opening from June to September.

Eighteen containers of illegal logs were intercepted at Davao City port.

Diarrhea downed 71 children in Cebu. Again, no potable drinking water.

Greetings to avid readers: Bishop Wilfredo Manlapaz of Tagum, Guillermo Torres Jr., president of the University of Mindanao; Norman Domingo of Iluminada farms, Davao; Ex-Mayor Isaac Tolentino of Tagaytay; Ellen Bocalan, Rudy Ancheta, Barangay Chairman Roberto Obanalan of Bucana, Davao City and Barangay Chairman Jimmy Salvador of Buhangin, Davao City.