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by PNA - The Aquino administration assured that the new mining policy is globally competitive and attractive to domestic and international investment.

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje issued the statement during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Monday following the release of Executive Order No. 79 (Institutionalizing and implementing reforms in the Philippine Mining Sector providing policies and guidelines to ensure environmental protection and responsible mining in the utilization of mineral resources).

"Our belief (is) that it is already attractive because I think the attraction would be more on the volume and quality of our deposits. We are already at par with the other countries except for these royalties and excise tax. And if we increase it, for example to five to seven percent, that is still within the international standard and that is what they are paying if they are operating abroad," Paje said.

Executive Order no.79 aims to improve environmental mining standards and increase revenues to promote sustainable economic development and social growth, according to Paje.

With the crafting of the EO, the government is now implementing a stricter enforcement of environmental laws and rules, and holding violators accountable.

The mining policy is also paving the way for the government to implement other measures such as identifying additional areas closed to mining, the conduct of review of the performance of mining operations and cleansing of non-moving mining rights holders, assess and improve small-scale mining conditions, the use of integrated maps and Programmatic Environmental Impact Assessment.

The Department of Enviroment and Natural Resources (DENR) is tasked to conduct proper accounting of the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Programs (EPEP) of mining companies and to use geo hazard and multi-hazard maps and climate change forecasts in determining “go” and “no-go” areas.

The Mining Industry Coordinating Council (MICC) is directed to carry out the explore use of mandatory and compulsory insurance coverage for mining affected areas and to adopt the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of the USA.

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