MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has ordered an investigation on more than 10 mining contracts over questionable amendments made during the Aquino administration.
This, after the group “Alyansang Tigil Mina” (ATM) revealed to Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu that several contracts had been tweaked weeks before the formal turn over the Aquino administration.
Based on the ATM’s investigation, DENR’s Mines and Geosciences Bureau still approved the extension, renewal, and expansion of coverage of more than 12 mining contracts in June 2016, weeks before President Rodrigo Duterte’s official takeover of the government.
“Tingin namin, more than ‘yung specific sa Naga, may mga large scale mining contracts at, in fact, FTAA—Financial Technical Assistance Agreements—panahon ng June. Eh ilang linggo na lang, magpapalit na ng administrasyon, bakit hindi na lang hinayaan ‘nung MGB na ‘yung susunod na administration ang mag-review at mag-approve ng ‘nung mga amendments na ‘yon sa mining contracts na iyan,” said ATM’s National Coordinator Jaybee Garganera.
The DENR also grew skeptical over the immediate approval of amendments in the said contracts which appeared unusual.
According to DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda, they will review the contracts to find out if the amendments made will benefit the public.
“Dapat sana ay pinagkatiwala na natin sa susunod na administrasyon lalo na’t usapin ito tungkol sa minahan. Dapat naging malalim ang pag-aaral and at the same time, nakita natin itong nangyari sa Naga Cebu. Well, base sa ATM, isa rin ito sa mga nabigyan ng pag-expand ng kanilang operation,” Antiporda said. – Marje Pelayo (with reports from Asher Cadapan Jr.)
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