MALACAÑANG expressed confidence that it can iron out some issues raised by a mining stakeholder in the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the new mining policy of the Aquino administration.
In a press conference in Malacanang on Thursday, Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ramon Carandang said they are closely looking at the concerns raised by the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines that Section 9 of the IRR is illegal and might impact on future projected investments in the industry.
The Chamber of Mines has warned that the government might miss its P16-billion investment target for the mining industry because of some provisions in the new mining order.
Explaining the government side on the issue, Carandang said, “Once these issues are ironed out, we believe that we will have a clear set of rules with little ambiguity that will encourage mining companies to come in.”
“We’re aware of the concerns and we’re discussing it in the MICC Mining Industry Coordinating Council (MICC) as to whether or not those concerns may have some basis.”
The Palace official said the reason why investments have not come into the mining sector is because of uncertain rules and policies in the mining sector.
Carandang said the government tries to create a set of general principles and rules under Executive Order 79, which will allow more productive and responsible mining operations in the country, adding that the IRR will refine what is contained in the EO 79.
Carandang also said that the Chamber of Mines has been appraised by members of the MICC and that the lines of communication remain open.
“So I don’t see any need for the MICC as a whole to meet with the Chamber of Mines at this point. Give us time to look over the concerns that they have expressed and we will do what we can to address them,” he said.
Bringing the issue to court will also be counter productive, Carandang noted, adding that the best way to move forward as quick as possible is to avoid litigation. (PCOO)
