The government has the power to separate the oversight of the environment and mining sectors, as it must take legislative action. A ranking official stated this on Thursday.
“At the moment, I cannot personally or conclusively declare that this is the correct decision or direction,” Mines and Geosciences Bureau chief Wilfredo Montano stated in a virtual meeting.
Moncano stated that other countries, such as Australia, South Africa, and the United States, have different government agencies responsible to regulate the mining and environmental sectors.
It all depends on government direction, he said. He stated that we want to streamline government bureaucracy and that the legislative branch will initiate creation of two separate agencies.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), is currently charged with overseeing the mining industry and protecting the environment. The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), and the MGB are responsible for both of these functions.
Manuel Pangilinan, a billionaire, said that the EMB and MGB should be removed by the DENR to make them independent agencies. He stated that the DENR is in a difficult position to address environmental and mining concerns.
Jordeene B. Lagare
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