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Thursday, May 18, 2017
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SAN JOSE, Antique – Newly appointed Environment secretary Roy A. Cimatu vowed to be “fair and just” in handling mining controversies.
Cimatu will look into mining issues in the coming weeks and seek help from experts in coming up with decisions.
Right now his priorities are the enforcement of the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, the secretary disclose during a visit in Antique on Tuesday.
Gov. Rhodora J. Cadiao admired Cimatu for his “level-headed” approach in dealing with mining.
Cimatu replaced environmental advocate and mining opponent Regina Paz “Gina” Lopez.
According to Cadiao, she wants legalities pertaining to the operation of the Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC) in Semirara Island in the municipality of Caluya studied first before any “drastic move” is made.
The SMPC is a big corporation that contributes much to the economy, she said.
But “if it (SMPC) does not abide by the legalities, then have it closed,” said Cadiao, who was also critical of the mining company, especially in light of accidents that led to the death of some of its workers.
While at the helm of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Lopez ordered the closure of 23 mines and suspended five mining companies.
She also ordered the cancellation of 75 mining contracts — also known as mineral production sharing agreements — in watershed zones. (PNA)
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