NEWS

By Jonathan L. Mayuga

MINING stakeholders are one in saying that the industry is in a unique position to help the Philippines recover from the economic setbacks caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and boost development in the countryside given the right policy environment.

Speaking at the online forum Wednesday Roundtable@Lido, Undersecretary for Enforcement, Mining and Muslim Affairs Jim Sampulna of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said amid Covid-19, the industry is prospering but is meeting problems along the way.

Nevertheless, he said the mining industry is “our last card as far as the economy is concerned,” underscoring the country’s richness in terms of minerals.

Ronnie Recidoro, executive director of the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) agreed.

“If you look at the events that unfolded after March, the mining industry responded well to this pandemic outbreak. Almost all mining companies have zero Covid cases,” he said.

Recidoro said the mining industry continues to provide employment in the countryside; and training, capacity building where they are needed most, hence, putting it in a very unique position to boost economic recovery and growth.

“Mining operates in the remote areas where we provide training, capacity building, for people who really need it. We are uniquely situated,” he said.

Amid the pandemic, the mining industry responded to the government’s call for help.

Mines and Geosciences Bureau Director Wilfredo Moncano said the MGB issued a circular on the minimum health protocol for mining companies—in conformity with the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases—while continuing their operation.

Moncano added that in the height of Covid-19, the MGB thought it prudent to push for realigning the Social Development Management Program (SDMP) funds of operating mines to help communities cope with the challenge of the pandemic—instead of for the usual information, education, and communication and other programs.

He said the mining companies, since March, were able to contribute P364 million, “in terms of food packs, sanitizers, and other support to their host, and “a laboratory/chemical laboratory to test Covid cases.”

Moncano said DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu is pushing for the industry to help in the economic recovery.

“We know that the Philippines is now borrowing money to support affected areas for vaccines…. We thought that to push for the mining industry to help in the recovery of the economy,” he said.

Source: Business Mirror