Ping: “Palakasan” a roadblock to responsible mining

The “palakasan” system in the mining industry is one of the reasons why responsible mining is not properly practiced in the Philippines, presidential aspirant Sen. Panfilo Lacson said.

In an interview with TV talk show host Boy Abunda on Monday, Lacson said the mining industry is a major industry in the country and cannot be shut off, but responsible mining should be strictly practiced.

“Ang problema nga, ang naging kalakaran sa ating bansa, [yung] palakasan system lagi, kung sino may connection, kung sino yung malakas maglagay. Implementation talaga ang problema,” Lacson said, stressing that a strict standard should be followed in the mining industry.

“Ang bottom line is kailangan responsible mining at kung may violations along the way, dapat walang patumanga na dapat ipatupad,” Lacson added, stressing that those with proven violations should be shut down immediately.

The former police chief said that when it comes to investigating violations of mining companies, due process must be followed and decisions should be based on the data gathered during investigations.

Lacson said that change in the mining industry begins with its implementers.

“Yung tinatawag na ‘leadership by example,’ kasi hindi pupwedeng yung isang leader, yung sinasabi niya ay hindi naman niya pina-practice. Sabihin niya ‘responsible mining,’ pero pag iba kausap niya, iba i-implement. Sinong [maniniwala] doon,” he said.

When asked if he would accept donations from miners for the campaign, Lacson said he would. “Kung legal naman ang mining company at may permit at lahat susunod, why not?”

Screengrab from The Boy Abunda Talk Channel (YouTube).