Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Conservation and heritage sites in the Philippines may yet be saved once a proposed ban on mining in and around these areas is in place, a top environment official said Friday.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Gina Lopez said she will devise a new policy that will prohibit mining operations in protected areas.
This, after the suspension of the environmental compliance certificate of a nickel mine in the southern Philippine province of Davao Oriental.
The mine, operated by Austral Asia Link Mining Corp. sits between Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Pujada Bay.
Pujada Bay is known for its rich coral reef system and white-sand beaches.
It was designated a marine protected area known as the Pujada Bay Protected Landscape and Seascape in 1994 through a presidential proclamation by then President Fidel Ramos.
“It’s affecting the biodiversity that’s around,” said Lopez, referring to the operations of Austral-Asia.
Audit findings revealed, the nickel mining operation which began in January, caused siltation on the sea. Stockpiles of mined materials considered as wastes have yet to be removed as well.
“If something happens like a Yolanda and there is increase in water level, that is all going into the sea and will kill all corals that we have,” Lopez said.
The Philippines is a top supplier of nickel ore globally.
However, the review of environmental compliance certificates under the new administration of President Rodrigo Duterte has seen the closure of nickel mines.
This has led to an increase in prices of nickel worldwide.
The fertile Mt. Banahaw, which straddles the provinces of Laguna and Quezon, is also being cleared of quarrying activities, the DENR said.
Environment Undersecretary Arturo Valdez said quarrying activities polluted the river. Boulders and rocks piled up may bury the town of Sariaya in Quezon during heavy rains.
“We’re stopping the catastrophe waiting to happen,” Valdez said.
Aside from mining and quarry operations, the agency suspended the environmental compliance certificate of housing developer Century Communities Corporation.
The company had planned a housing project at the La Mesa Watershed.
La Mesa Watershed is the reservoir which provides the needs of drinking water for 12 million people in Metro Manila.
Environment officials said such projects could contaminate the drinking water supply.
The audit revealed that Century Communities Corporation has yet to get clearance from Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System for the housing project.
“The land’s purpose is as a reservoir of Metro Manila water. So that means, whatever projects that have to be put there will have to conform with the overall objective of that area,” said Undersecretary Carlo Mendoza.
Century Communities said in a statement that it will file an appeal. It also underscored the Supreme Court decision that allowed them to develop a housing project in the area.
A nationwide audit of 800 environmental compliance certificates will soon begin.
