OPINION | Sustainable revitalization of an economic pillar By Felix Jose M. Vitangcol READ:
These misgivings, however, are unfounded. In fact, the ban on open-pit mining only caused the industry to lose momentum on its way to again becoming a major economic engine that generates jobs, business linkages, and government revenues. These revenues could have been used by the national and local governments to improve public services, infrastructure, and COVID-19 responses.
In reality, the Philippine mining industry, led by CoMP, has been going beyond its mandated responsibility to sustainably manage its environmental footprint, as well as the key role it plays as an economic engine of the underdeveloped areas of the country and in the global mineral value chain. These mining companies also undertake revegetation of mined-out areas as part of their progressive rehabilitation initiatives, with the end in view of restoring and developing a more economically viable operation. No less than the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has acknowledged that the reforestations programs of CoMP members are the biggest contributors to the country’s National Greening Program.