‘A watershed is a watershed’ – DENR chief Gina Lopez
Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Gina Lopez is steadfast in her decision to cancel 75 mining contracts despite arguments that a location – in this case a watershed – must first be proclaimed before mining operations are barred from the site.
“A watershed is a watershed by its function. The law does not make a watershed a watershed,” Lopez said in a text message to GMA News Online on Thursday.
Lopez made the statement in light of the argument posed by a mining expert that under the Section 19 of Republic Act 7942, or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, a watershed must be proclaimed for mining activities to be prohibited from it.
“If rivers and streams flow from it … and it is the source, then doing any kind of extractive activity puts at risks the lives and well-being of the people living there,” Lopez said.
On Tuesday, the Environment chief made another controversial announcement ordering the cancellation of 75 mineral production sharing agreements (MPSAs) – all of which covers watershed areas – many still in the exploration stage.
“Our scientists saw that they are watersheds … As long as it functions as a watershed, there mining should not be allowed. That’s my stand and it is in the Mining Act,” she emphasized.
Under Sec. 19 (f) of RA 7942, a mineral agreement shall not be allowed in virgin forests, proclaimed watershed forest reserves, wilderness area, mangrove forest, mossy forest, national parks, provincial and municipal forest, parks, greenbelts, game refuge and bird sanctuaries as defined by law and in areas expressly prohibited under the National Integrated Protected Area System under RA 7586, Department Administrative Order No. 25, series of 1992, and other laws.
“The Mining Act specifically states that we should not adversely affect the present and future generation. Mining in a watershed is actually against the law,” Lopez said.
Early this month, Lopez also revealed during a press conference that she ordered to close and suspend 28 mining operations for regulatory and environmental infractions. ## (VDS, GMA News)
