JUNE 21, 2015

NR # 3870B

Bills seeking to declare two cities and six provinces

mining-free zones await Senate approval
The House of Representatives, since the start of the 16 th Congress, has approved eight bills
declaring two cities in Mindanao and five provinces as well as one district in another area of the
country as mining-free zones.
Mining has been statistically proven to be one of the most environmentally destructive
industries, the authors collectively stressed.
The proposed statutes, under consideration by the Senate, include: HB 45 by Hon. Rufus B.
Rodriguez and and Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.; HB 5262 authored by Hon. Isidro T. Ungab; HB 670
by Hon. Cesar V. Sarmiento; HB 3667 authored by Deputy Speaker Carlos M. Padilla; HB 3780 by
Hon. Ben P. Evardone; HB 4363 of Hon. Deogracias B. Ramos, Jr.; HB5260 by Hon. Joseph Gilbert
F. Violago; and HB 5261 by Hon. Rogelio J. Espina, M.D.
The House-approved measures had been steered through plenary by the sponsoring House
Committee on Natural Resources chaired by Hon. Francisco T. Matugas and endorsed to the Senate
in 2014.
The areas sought to be declared as mining-free zones include the Cities of Cagayan de Oro
and Davao, and the provinces of Catanduanes, Nueva Viscaya; Eastern Samar, the 2 nd District of
Sorsogon, Nueva Ecija; and Biliran.
The authors cited the Constitutional mandate to protect and advance the right of the people to
a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.
Mining has adverse effects both to humans and the environment. Aside from adding toxic
chemicals to the ore, it strips-off large areas of top soil of all flora and fauna, they added.
Furthermore, the lawmakers noted that apart from destroying the natural beauty of the
environment, mining displaces communities, causes landslides, pollutes water sources and
contributes to the greenhouse effect and climate change, among others.
The bills provide penalties on violators ranging from six (6) years to twelve (12) years
imprisonment and/or fines ranging from P100,000 to P500,000.
Mining, as defined under the proposed statutes, refer to the extraction of valuable minerals or
other geological materials from the earth and shall include such mining activities as exploration,
feasibility, development, utilization and processing and large-scale quarry operations involving
cement raw materials, marble, granite, sand and gravel construction aggregates.
However, mining activities may be allowed if the quarrying of gravel and sand for projects
directly undertaken by government agencies or local governments when national interest so requires,
and when there is need to determine the presence and availability of strategic raw materials for
industries critical to national development or for scientific, cultural or ecological value. (30) dpt