President Rodrigo Duterte orders mining companies to conduct tree planting programs programs and threatened to ban all open pit mining next year.
“I want trees as tall as me in six months. If there is none, consider your permit revoked. Do not wait for the day of your sorrow,” Duterte said in a report by Reuters.
Environmental damage and alleged violations, such as building mines in prohibited areas like watersheds, are just several issues that the president is concerned about. Duterte said miners should plant trees in areas affected by mining.
The industry with Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) are working together to reduce the disturbed areas, the president said to reporters before leaving for China.
He also warned the mining companies about the possibility of total ban of open pit mining next year.
In April 2017, a ban on new open pit mines has been placed; covering projects that include $5.9 billion copper-gold Tampakan project in Mindanao.
Open pit mining is allowed under the Philippine law until Duterte rejected a recommendation by the Mining Industry Coordination to lift the ban, reasoning the destruction of the soil and environment.
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