What’s up with the mining industry?

Allow me to remind our readers that today is the official start of the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, which is now on its 21st year! This is the weekend of everything that flies that is happening in Clark, Pampanga from Feb.9-12, 2017. Once again, kudos to Capt. Joy Roa (of Air Safari fame) for singlehandedly promoting the Balloon Fiesta in the Philippines which you can never experience anywhere else in the country.

Unfortunately I cannot join this exhilarating event as I’m still recovering from my kidney operation. But it certainly brings back memories when three years ago, I went to Clark Air Base to take my first balloon ride. But aviation buffs should never miss it. During my youth when the Philippine Air Force (PAF) had squadrons of Super Sabre F-86 Jets, they would often conduct air shows at the old Lahug Airfield, leaving an indelible mark in my boyhood, which is why I love the aviation industry. Finally, birthday greetings to my dear friend, Capt. Joy Roa. More power to you!

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The other day, Karen Davila’s Headstart on ANC had Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Gina Lopez as her guest where she gave a video presentation of the alleged violations by 23 mining companies all over the country. She gave a video or a PowerPoint presentation of those alleged violations by the mining companies. But that was only for the DENR side.

In fairness to Karen Davila, yesterday morning she had Mr. Ronald Recidoro, vice president of the Chamber of Mines as her guest to give the side of the mining industry and it was quite surprising to hear that as of yesterday the Chamber of Mines members have not yet received the DENR closure or suspension order. Nor did any of the mining companies get a copy of the DENR audit documents. I find this quite strange because before you close a company the owners should be given the closure order and the reasons why you are being shut down by the government.

What is even more serious are the accusations by Mr. Recidoro that the audit team of the DENR is “loaded” with anti-mining activists? Is this true Sec. Gina? I know for a fact that there are just too many people who are against mining. Many of them are bishops of the Catholic Church and leftist groups in the guise of “protecting the environment.” But I dare say that the Duterte administration must strike the right balance in the mining industry. Shutting down mining operations like in the Caraga Region because the mining industry has not improved the poverty in the area is a very simplistic reason to shut down mining operations.

Let me say it here, mining companies can provide jobs in the most remote areas of the country, but getting the people out of poverty is not the job of these mining companies. Sec. Gina Lopez also came up with a comparison with the mining industry and the tourism industry. This for me is comparing apples with oranges. Mining companies are attracted to the minerals found in a remote area…but these are areas that tourists would never dare come for a visit. So this comparison is faulty to say the least.

During that interview with Karen Davila, Mr. Recidoro showed areas where the rivers turned brown due to siltation. Karen reacted that she never knew of rivers turning brown without a mining operations nearby. Let me tell Karen Davila that in the town of Liloan, some 18 kilometers north of Cebu City after a strong rain, our beaches turn brown because the river washes into the sea. But there are no mining operations in the area. Siltation of our rivers is commonplace all over the country.

Again, we are keenly interested in following up the issues surrounding the mining industry. We in Cebu have lived with Asia’s largest copper mine with the Atlas Mining and Development Company that turned Toledo City from a first class town into a city. But when copper prices plunged and Atlas Mines suffered crippling strikes, it resulted in an economic downturn of Toledo City. So whether you like it or not, the mining industry is vital to the economy of the country. Which is why the Duterte administration should seriously look into this issue and not just look at the side of the DENR.

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Finally, my dream of the return of the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) is nearing reality when the Duterte Cabinet agreed to the restoration of a mandatory ROTC for the next school year. However the restoration of the mandatory ROTC would require an amendment to the National Service Training Program (NSTP) Law, which was enacted in 2002. So now it is up to Congress to revise this law. The ROTC program is the only school program that instills love of country and patriotism for our youth.

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