House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in a conference for the nickel sector stated the need for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to view itself not just as a regulator but also a promoter of a responsible, world-class, efficient, and intelligent mining business.
This statement was part of her speech on the second day of the “Nickel Initiative 2019: Shaping Tomorrow, Together” of the Philippine Nickel Industry Association, Inc. (PNIA).
“It is important to deliver not just policies but more so administrative processes because it is the procedures that could slow down the output of the industry not just the policies,” explained Arroyo in her speech during the conference.
The DENR apparently is moving to this direction and Arroyo expressed her gratification
DENR being a regulator and promoter for the mining industry is third in the three areas of initiatives discussed by Arroyo during her speech. The first two was the government agency’s speeding up the process of existing mining applications, and encouraging mining proponents to implement and approve projects with a great responsible time to generate economic benefits for the country.
Both are already being addressed through recent changes in policies commenced by the environmental department through the creation of Department Administrative Order (DAO) 2018-13.
DAO 2018-13 entails the removal of the environmental clearance certificate which according to Arroyo is a good achievement and a positive signal to the business community as this is a way to hasten approval of mining projects.
According to Arroyo, “so many benefits can come from the mining industry if it is sustainable and responsible” citing the approved House Bill 8400 which seeks to establish the fiscal regime for the mining industry as a measure to allow the government rightful share of profits from the industry.
