DENR MINING AUDIT PRESS CONFERENCE. Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Gina Lopez and Undersecretary Leo Jasareno show one of the twenty mining firms recommended for suspension during news briefing at the DENR office in Quezon City.INQUIRER PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES
Government efforts to clean up the mining industry will continue even if Senior Environment Undersecretary Leo Jasareno, who led the audit teams that recommended the suspension of 20 mine operators, is now out of the picture, Environment Secretary Gina Lopez said on Wednesday.
Jasareno, director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), resigned recently after President Duterte ordered all appointees of his predecessor, Benigno Aquino III, to vacate their posts.
Last week, Mr. Duterte appointed Wilfredo G. Moncano听 acting director IV of the MGB, replacing Jasareno.
Proper policy direction
The Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) yesterday welcomed the appointment of Moncano, saying large-scale miners were confident that he would 鈥渟et the proper policy direction鈥� for the industry.
Moncano, the MGB said, has taken his oath and assumed his new office while remaining as director of MGB in the Davao region, a post he has been holding since July 30, 2015.
Environment Undersecretary Mario Luis J. Jacinto remains the chief of the MGB, as well as the supervising authority over the Environmental Management Bureau.
When Jacinto was appointed in late July, Lopez said Jasareno鈥擩acinto鈥檚 predecessor at the MGB鈥攚ould continue to serve as senior undersecretary at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Unabated
听
But even with Jasareno out, Lopez said the mine audit 鈥済oes on, unabated.鈥�
When asked whether she was trying to get another position at the DENR for Jasareno, Lopez said: 鈥淚 have to meet the President. Leo (Jasareno) has done a splendid job, with integrity and efficiency.鈥�
In a statement issued yesterday, COMP suggested better prospects with Moncano.
鈥淲e are looking forward to working with Director Moncano and are confident that he will set the proper policy direction needed to boost the industry,鈥� said COMP vice president Ronald Recidoro.
鈥淯nder the strict mandate of the MGB, we are hoping to pour in another $20 billion worth of mining projects into the country鈥檚 economy for the next five years,鈥� he said.
鈥淭his will have significant positive impact on communities as we implement our social development and management program,鈥� he added.
Recidoro was referring to the SDMP, a requirement imposed on mine operators under the mining law.
Citing data from the MGB, the chamber said P5 billion was committed under
the SDMP of mining firms until 2021.