DAVAO CITY – A Davao-based environmental group hailed President Rodrigo Duterte’s “consistency” in protecting the environment and giving the local government units the task to take the lead in addressing environmental concerns.
Interface Development Interventions (IDIS) Executive Director Chinkie Peliño-Golle on Tuesday said they were elated with President Duterte’s stance to take the protection of the environment as a top priority.
“The President has been consistent. This was the second time he mentioned this,” said Peliño-Golle, recalling the previous State of the Nation Address (SONA) of the President. However, Peliño-Golle said she would have appreciated it more if Duterte had included the protection of the watershed in the SONA.
The President actually made mention of watershed when he said: “Again, I warn irresponsible miners, along with their patrons, to stop destroying our watersheds, recharge areas, forests, and aquatic resources. You can no longer fish in our rivers. It’s all contaminated. And the color is not even brown or white, it’s black.”
He specifically made mention of Mt. Diwalwal in Compostela Valley.
“You want to see it? I will invite you. We can go to Diwalwal and the other mining areas. And I’m sure you will puke with what is happening to this country,” Duterte said. “Expect reforms, radical ones. I cannot intend to quarrel with anybody, with the moneyed, but for as long as I am here I said: you will just have to contend with me.”
Peliño-Golle also highlighted the President’s policy on mining operations, which she said is being re-echoed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
During last week’s meeting with DENR-11, Peliño-Golle said the regional director bared there has been no approval of mining operations and that the suspension on other firms has been sustained. Existing mines, she said, are being managed well with the significant contribution to the livelihood of local communities.
In his SONA on Monday, Duterte emphasized his policy on the utilization of the country’s resources is non-negotiable.
“The protection of the environment must be a top priority and extracted resources must be used for the benefit of the Filipino people, not just a select few. Do not just give me taxes. I can get it from other sources. Give me what needs to be given to my countrymen,” he said.
He reiterated his warning against the mining industry not to destroy the environment or compromise the country’s resources.
“Repair what you have mismanaged. Try to change management radically because this time you will have restrictive policies. The prohibition of open pit mining is one. It is destroying my country. It is destroying the environment. It will destroy the world of tomorrow for our children,” he added.
He also asked all concerned agencies and local government units to uphold the concept of inter-generational responsibility in the utilization of the mineral wealth, the protection and preservation of biodiversity, anchored on the right to a balanced and healthy ecology.
Peliño-Golle said Duterte’s mining policy was no surprise, recalling that the former mayor of Davao City was instrumental in the passage of the ordinance banning (metallic) mining in the city. (Lilian C. Mellejor/PNA)
