In a bid to protect the province from the dangers of mining, the House Committee on Natural Resources, chaired by Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr., passed House Bill (HB) No. 1124 or the “Davao Oriental Mining-Free Zone Act.”
Initially authored by Davao Oriental Rep. Joel Mayo Almario, HB No. 1124 seeks to prohibit all forms of mining operations — whether large-scale or small-scale — and activities such as quarrying within the territorial jurisdiction and mineral exploration in the province.
“Continued mining in the province will aggravate the danger posed by the fault line, threatening the lives of thousands of citizens in the province. The prohibition of mining operations now becomes extremely necessary,” Almario was quoted as saying a Manila Bulletin report.
According to the report, the bill provides that all valid and existing mining contracts, permits, licenses, and agreements, per the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, shall be recognized and shall remain valid until its expiration. No further extension or renewal shall be granted thereafter.
However, the bill also provides that the issuance of quarry permits in the mining-free zone shall be under the direct supervision of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The maximum area that a qualified individual may hold at one time within the province shall be five hectare. Deception or failure to comply shall subject the permit to immediate cancellation.
It was also noted that the bill seeks to cancel all small-scale mining contracts, granted under the People’s Small-scale Mining Act of 1991, upon the effectivity of the act.
Moreover, according to the provisions of the bill, affected contractors shall be given a year to undertake rehabilitation, regeneration, and reforestation of mineralized areas, slope stabilization of mined-out and tailing-covered areas, watershed development, and water preservation.
Violators will be faced with six to 12 years of imprisonment and a fine ranging from P1 million to P10 million.
Within three months from the passage of the proposed Act, the DENR shall promulgate its implementing rules and regulations (IRR).
