Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 22) — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday ordered the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to strengthen its regulatory powers on small- and large-scale mining to check standards and strict implementation of safety and health programs for workers.
The instruction was made in a meeting with DENR officials in Malacañang, where the President also demanded to improve the social protection and security of workers in the mining industry.
“Gusto natin ma-legalize ang mga small-scale mining firms kasi madami sa kanila illegal, kaya walang protection ang mga minero,” Marcos said.
“Gusto nating palakasin ang regulatory framework para maka-operate sila ng legal, upang mabigyan ang ating minero ng assistance at protection para sa ligtas nilang pagtatrabaho,” he added.
[Translation: We want to legalize small-scale mining firms because many of them are illegal, that’s why miners don’t have protection. We want to strengthen the regulatory framework so that they can legally operate, so that we can give miners assistance and protection for safe working conditions.]
According to the Office of the Press Secretary, there are bills on small-scale mining that Marcos may certify as urgent, including the amendment to Republic Act 7076 to provide incentives to small-scale mining, as well as social and government assistance and labor protection.
RA 7076 or the People’s Small-scale Mining Act of 1991 defines small-scale mining as “mining activities which rely heavily on manual labor using simple implement and methods and do not use explosives or heavy mining equipment.”
“I think for now the need is for the regulatory capabilities, especially the small scale,” Marcos said.
