Finance Undersecretary Bayani Agabin revealed that the Mining Industry Coordinating Council (MICC) is ready to review Gina Lopez’s suspension order on 26 mining operations last year.
The inter-agency will commence its assessment this February and is said to issue results by June.
There will be five teams, consisting of 25 experts overall, that were hired to do the job – they will survey, study, and offer recommendations on mining-related methodologies and tested measures that will improve the operations of banned miners.
“Teams from the MICC will visit the mining sites to ensure a fair and factual review,” Agabin said.
In an earlier report, the review process will also include safety and protection enhancements as well as eliminating damages in the mined out areas where the 26 firms conduct its activities, which the Environment Department can no longer handle on its own.
When asked if DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) Secretary Roy Cimatu appeared “too supportive” of mining in the country, who, unlike his predecessor, Agabin said the ex-General remains firm on his stance to protect the environment first and foremost.
Last year, Duterte previously demanded mining companies to shape up or he would tax them “to death” if they commit further violations against the environment.
