MANILA – Environment Secretary Gina Lopez said Tuesday she served notice to operators of dozens of mines, asking them to explain why their permits should not be canceled for operating in watersheds.
The “show cause” orders were given to 37 mines in Mindanao, 27 in Luzon and 11 in the Visayas, Lopez told reporters.
Lopez on Feb. 3 recommended the closure of 23 mines, 15 of which are in watersheds, and the suspension of 5 others following an industry-wide audit of compliance with environment laws.
Lopez said her move was a “gift of love on Valentine’s Day to the Filipino public.”
“Water is life, and by saying, by today, doing show cause to all mining companies that were granted MPSA, there should be no mining in watershed areas,” she said.
0 Comments