PRESIDENT AQUINO’S EO 79 AFTERMATH: Xstrata Philippine mine project ‘may go to court’ - AFP News

 

The fate of Xstrata’s $5.9 billion copper-gold project in the southern Philippines, which has been delayed by a ban on open-pit mining, may be decided in court, a provincial governor said Saturday.

Arthur Pingoy, governor of South Cotabato province where the project is located, said his government maintained its ban on open-pit mining which effectively bars the Swiss giant’s project.

President Benigno Aquino recently issued a mining order saying the national government overruled local ordinances but Pingoy said his ban remained in effect until a court ruled otherwise.

“Probably, this will be taken to the proper court, so we will see if (the company) or the national government will raise it,” he told AFP.

The Tampakan project of an Xstrata-led joint venture on the troubled southern island of Mindanao has been delayed for months by South Cotabato’s ban on open cast mining.

Pingoy said he was aware of the massive economic benefits of the project but said people in his province were still wary of its environmental impact.

He said both the natural resources and local government ministers were due to meet with him soon and he expected them to bring up the Xstrata project, which was originally due to go into commercial operation in 2016.

Meanwhile, the head of the government Mines and Geosciences Board Leo Jasareno expressed optimism that legal action could be avoided and that South Cotabato officials could be persuaded to lift the ban.

“There are many ways this can be addressed. The national government can talk to the local government, discuss the matter… it can be done through consultation, persuasion,” he told AFP.

He said Aquino’s new order would provide a guide in settling the dispute.

Jasareno said the Aquino government still considered the mining project, one of the biggest foreign investments in the country’s history, to be a “priority”.

In a statement, Sagittarius Mines, Inc., the local subsidiary of the Xstrata-led joint venture, said it would study Aquino’s new mining order to see how it relates to its mining project.

“We are encouraged that the implementation of this policy should assist in the resolution of the South Cotabato Environment Code which bans open-pit mining in the province contrary to national law,” the statement added.

More stories

• Philippine president’s new mining policy opposed
• Aquino OKs EO on mining
• Philippine mining order ‘needs work’
• Philippine leader signs mining reforms
• 6 points laid out in Philippine mining agenda
• Three killed in Peru protest at Newmont mine project
• Philippine president signs long-awaited mining EO

The State of Moro Human Rights under President Noynoy Aquino

CONTINUING POVERTY, INJUSTICE AND IMPUNITY

 

When President Aquino assumed into power, he promised a different Mindanao. His Mindanao 2020 boasts of a plan to push for agricultural development in Mindanao by transforming it into a modern agricultural center for self-sufficiency and be competitive.

Three SONA’s (State of the Nation Address) after, Mindanao remains poor. Based on the latest official poverty statistics released by the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB), 36% of the country’s poorest families live in Mindanao.

The country’s three poorest regions are in Mindanao – CARAGA (39.8%), ARMM (38.1%), and Zamboanga Peninsula (36.6%).  People in the ARMM has highest cost of living (more than P1,287 ) among all regions in the Philippines, but they only get P232 minimum wage(18% of the cost of living).*

This year, Mindanaoans suffered long hours of brownouts, yet compared to other countries, we were paying the highest electricity rates in Asia.  We were blamed for the power crisis yet the national government is not shelling out bigger budget for Mindanao. Instead, they implemented the dole-out Conditional Cash Transfer or Pantawid Pampamilya Program whose budget came from World Bank loans.

In Mindanao, the foreign and local businessmen and landlords are the ones cashing in on the resources of Mindanao.  The government has given permits for mining, exploration of oil and natural gas reserves, operations of coal-fired power plants, and expansion of agricultural plantations – which have further pushed the people into poverty and landlessness due to displacement.

The military and their CAFGU’s and CVO’s are employed to guard these business establishments, militarizing not only the countryside but urban dwellings as well.  The economic interests of the US government are ensured by deploying US troops, setting-up “temporary” bases and conducting successive military exercises in Mindanao.  War mongering against China is but a front to his subservience to US politico-military interests in Asia.

Under the guise of counter-terrorism, the people of Mindanao are held hostage by business interests.  Communities who defy military presence are tagged as terrorist havens, residents as supporters. Communities are bombed and residents displaced purportedly to wipe out terrorists in the area.

Since 2001, more than 200 have been arrested and detained – accused as Abu Sayyaf members. Instead of reviewing security policies that discriminates Moro people, or put a stop to militarization and bombardment in the communities, Aquino called for an “All-Out Justice” which only intensified human rights violations in Moro areas.

In Aquino’s time, the wheels of justice remain slow.  Despite incarceration, the Ampatuan family continue to wield power in Maguindanao.  Adding to the death toll Maguindanao Massacre victims are state witnesses against the Ampatuan family.

There is a continuing reign of impunity as perpetrators of human rights violations remain scot free, while civilians and human rights defenders rot in jail. Aquino is no different with Arroyo in implementing the US counter-insurgency guide.  Under his watch, two foreign NGO workers were killed while several activists are being arrested, detained and killed.

We pin our hopes in the peace negotiations, yet the Aquino administration continue to disregard previous agreements and push new agenda that gloss over the root-cause of the problem and only prolong the talks.

Let us expose the true situation of our communities and oppose state policies that continue to violate and deny our rights.

KHADIDJA BABAYE

Commentary: Mindanao power is more expensive than Asia’s major cities

A RADICAL’S NUT

By Arnold J. Padilla

Mindanao power is more expensive than electricity rates in major cities in Asia but Aquino wants the region to pay more to supposedly address its power crisis (Photo from manilastandardtoday.com)

Mindanao must pay more to end the rotating brownouts, the President declared in his Power Summit speech. The region, said Aquino, needs more power supply but “cheap” power rates are discouraging private investors from building new power plants to meet Mindanao’s growing energy needs.Pay more “But how can you entice anyone to invest—and this is the question—if their generating cost is more than their selling cost?” Aquino, in his speech, asked. “The simple truth is: we can have a lot more energy, but we have to provide the incentives for businesses to come here to put up those plants. Therefore, there will be a change in what we have to pay. We will have to pay, perhaps, a bit more… You have to pay more because this is the reality of economics… Everything has its price. We have to pay a real price for a real service. There are actually just only two choices: pay a little more for energy, or live with the lack of energy and the continuation of the rotating brownouts.”
Cheap rates?
Aquino must apologize to the people of Mindanao for blaming them for the power crisis and accusing them of being spoiled by “cheap” power rates. Aquino must apologize for being shamelessly insensitive to the plight of Mindanao where 36% of the country’s poorest families live (based on the latest official poverty statistics released by the National Statistical Coordination Board or NSCB).
The premise that Mindanao has been unjustifiably enjoying “cheap” power rates is totally wrong. True, Mindanao has lower power rates than Luzon and Visayas. Latest available comparative data show that the region has an effective residential rate of P6.69 per kilowatt-hour (kWh). Luzon has P9.84 while Visayas has P8.19. (Data from 18^th EPIRA Implementation Status Report, which may be downloaded here)
Most expensive in Asia
Aquino, however, did not mention one very important fact. Mindanao power is “cheap” only because the country has the highest electricity rates in Asia. In a survey conducted by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Manila posted the most expensive residential rate (P10.16 per kWh), while Cebu (P8.39) is ranked third (Singapore ranked second with P8.83). JETRO conducted the survey in January 2011 to compare investment-related costs, including electricity, in 31 major cities in Asia and Oceania. (See the table at the end of this article for the complete list; Download the JETRO survey here)
While Aquino is blaming the power crisis on the people of Mindanao for being pampered by “cheap” power, Mindanao is actually paying much more than most major cities in Asia. Did you know that residential consumers in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Cagayan de Oro City, Northern Mindanao, and the Davao and CARAGA regions are paying twice the electricity rates of residents in Seoul and Beijing? Except for CARAGA, all the Mindanao regions I mentioned also have more expensive residential power rates than Hong Kong. These areas in Mindanao, plus Cotabato City, Iligan City, SOCCKSARGEN, and the Zamboanga Peninsula all have higher residential rates than major Asian capitals like Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, New Delhi, Bangkok, and Shanghai, among others. All in all, Mindanao is paying an average of P1.82 per kWh more for electricity than the collective average residential rate of the 31 major cities in Asia and Oceania surveyed by JETRO.
I summarized these findings in the chart below, which culled data on residential rates from the JETRO survey and data on average residential rates of private distribution utilities (PDUs) and average systems rates of electric cooperatives (ECs) from the 18^th EPIRA report. The red bars represent Mindanao regions and cities.

Poorest region
Note that Mindanao has an average official poverty incidence of 33.5% of families (the national average is 20.9%). The country’s three poorest regions are in Mindanao – CARAGA (39.8%), ARMM (38.1%), and Zamboanga Peninsula (36.6%). ARMM does not only have the most expensive power rates in Mindanao, it also has (consequently) the highest cost of living (more than P1,287 based on the family living wage released by the NSCB in July 2008) among all regions in the Philippines, while the minimum wage there is just P232 (or just 18% of the cost of living). Amid this condition, the people of Mindanao are being forced to pay for electricity that is way beyond the rates in Asia’s richest cities. Yet Aquino wants Mindanao to shell out more money to supposedly solve its power crisis.
Blame EPIRA
Mindanao has lower rates than Luzon and Visayas not only because it sources its energy supply from cheaper hydropower but also because the region has been relatively and temporarily spared from the privatization and deregulation drive under EPIRA. State-controlled/owned installed capacity in Mindanao is still about 82% of the total (as of 2010 data from the DOE), compared to 18% in Luzon and 36% in Visayas where most power plants have already been privatized and are now controlled by the country’s profit-seeking “power lords”. Furthermore, unlike Luzon and Visayas, Mindanao does not have an EPIRA-created wholesale electricity spot market (WESM), which has only become a venue for price manipulation and speculation by power monopolies, sparking off wild spikes in power rates.
But EPIRA is also to blame for Mindanao’s energy insecurity. While government retained control over most of the installed and dependable capacity in Mindanao, it did not invest in additional capacity to meet the growing power demand of the region. Government abandoned its strategic role to design and implement power development projects consistent with a long-term industrialization plan and instead focused on selling the assets of the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR) to private investors as mandated under EPIRA.
Reverse privatization
To fully solve the energy insecurity of Mindanao and the rest of the country as well as the problem of expensive electricity, there is no other recourse but for the state to take over. Aquino could no longer use the excuse that doing so will just further bankrupt the government. Despite the EPIRA, NAPOCOR remains trapped in deep debt (read here). So instead of further wasting limited public resources on a flawed energy program – which only made electricity bills more exorbitant and power supply more insecure – government should start reversing the privatization and deregulation of the energy sector. #

COTABATO JAIL WARDEN SACKED OVER JAILBREAK

COTABATO CITY, July 12 (PNA) – Maguindanao Gov. Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu has sacked Provincial Jail Warden Kasan Odin following the escape of 10 inmates, including high profile inmate Datukan Samad.
Mangudadatu named Bukid Baman as the new provincial warden. The governor learned that Odin was only acting jail warden and his appointment was only as "Jail Guard 2."
"He was not even qualified to act as officer-in-charge because he has no proper training and expertise in jail management," Mangudadatu said.
The police investigating the July 10 escape of 10 inmates found that one of them was a "key keeper" and trusted aide of the provincial jail guards.
Senior Supt. Danilo Reyes, Cotabato City police chief, said inmate Basco Puas was a trusted inmate and served as “key keeper” of cell Nos. 1, 3 and 8.
Samad alias Lastikman who was facing extortion, bombing, kidnapping and murders, was the brain of the daring escape which happened at 1 a.m. Tuesday.
Puas remained at large along with “Lastikman” and the other escapees.
Reyes said police investigators learned that Puas, who was facing murder and frustrated murder charges, opened the door of other cells after Lastikman made his great escape.
Kagem Omar, one of the escapees who was recaptured hours later, said that it was Samad who planned everything.
“Samad was the one who sew the iron grill of the comfort room every night or when the guards are not seeing him," he said in the vernacular.
“He would saw the iron grills every now and then," he added. "To camouflage the cuts, he will rub it with bath soap.”
Omar said while every one in the cell knew of what Lastikman was doing they simply ignored it and waited for the opportunity to escape with him.
Police said two motorbikes with two men were seen waiting for Lastikman to escape and fled with him amid light down pour on Tuesday dawn.
Reyes said a tracking team has been out to locate other inmates through their relatives.
The military, which had been helping the police locate the wanted persons, also seek the help of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) ceasefire committee in locating Lastikman.
Major Gen. Rey Ardo, 6th Infantry Division chief, said the joint ceasefire committee, composed of military and MILF officials, can help in tracking down the escapees.
Ardo said Lastikman may have some relatives with the MILF ranks “so we need the help of our friends in the MILF because in cases like these the military must coordinate with the MILF.”
To avoid mis-encounter while state forces are enforcing police actions against lawless elements in areas identified with the MILF, a mechanism was set up for joint GPH-MILF manhunt operation. (PNA)

DTI, Davao del Norte‏ to developed poor towns in province

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, July 12 (PNA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Davao and provincial government of Davao del Norte are partnering anew using the Local and Regional Economic Development (LRED) program in jump starting various economic activities in the less developed towns of the province.

Trade and Industry Undersecretary for Regional Operations Group Merly M. Cruz said LRED is a process by which stakeholders from both public and private sectors are mobilized to become partners in a joint effort to improve the economy of a defined sub-national territory to increase its competitiveness.
Initially, the collaboration will focus on the development of Braulio E. Dujali, a municipality 57 kilometers north of Davao City. It is one of the nine areas in Davao del Norte identified by the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) as among the 609 priority municipalities/cities for poverty reduction under the Aquino administration.
Cruz said other focus areas are the municipalities of Asuncion, Kapalong, New Corella, San Isidro, Santo Tomas, and Talaingod and the cities of Panabo and Samal Island.
She said that with the right planning and staunch support from government and private partners, Dujali can be developed into a tourism site.
“The area could be utilized for the development of pangasius or tilapia. Therefore, it will be a destination for those people who love fishing. Before you know it, Dujali is already a popular tourist destination,” she said.
To further enhance the town’s tourism potential, she said its products can be improved in order to become more marketable and enticing for tourists.
“Let’s identify products which are unique to Dujali. We can value-add on that and that will be the role of DTI,” she said.
Meanwhile, Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario said the week-long celebration of the 45th Kadagayaan Festival on June 24-30, is the starting point of the plan to develop Dujali.
“Let’s start with Dujali then other municipalities,” he said, adding that pasalubong centers will be established for the value-added products of Dujali.

“Five years from now, we envision Dujali to be a resort area. It will be a half-way house between Bukidnon and Davao del Norte,” he added. (PNA)
LAM/JGMM/ldp/mec

Army lauds Davao Norte for posting high number of rebel returnees‏

DAVAO DEL NORTE, July 13 (PNA) – Brig. Gen. Ariel Bernardo of the 10th Infantry Division (ID) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) here congratulated Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario for the noticeable increase in the number of surrenderees in the province, with 73 recorded surrenderees in the first half of 2012.

At the recently held meeting of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC XI) in Davao City, he attributed this to the favorable spike in massive community immersion activities of the Provincial Government of Davao del Norte under the Convergence for Peace and Development program, where the AFP and the Philippine National Police (PNP) are its partners.
The Army official said a total of 190 rebels yielded and joined the government in the first half of this year. Next to Davao del Norte with the highest number in the region is Compostela Valley with 35, Davao del Sur with 28, and Davao Oriental and Davao City, both with 27 rebel returnees.
He said Gov. del Rosario, who is also the current RPOC XI chairman, reaches out to the far-flung areas in Davao del Norte. It rolls out various socio-economic services in human health, agriculture, animal legal, and support to the environment, among others.

Of the 477 immersion activities, 136 were conducted in Davao del Norte, 124 in Davao del Sur, 101 in Davao Oriental, 65 in Davao City and 21 in Compostela Valley, he added. (PNA)

New mining law addresses concerns of industry -- Tanada

---

MANILA, July 12 (PNA) -- House Deputy Speaker and Quezon Rep. Lorenzo "Erin" Tanada III said Executive Order No. 79 recently signed by President Benigno S. Aquino III, coupled with a new mining law, will address the concerns of the mining industry. 
Tanada, author of House Bill No. 206 or the "Alternative Minerals Management Bill," said that EO 79 on mining has sparked renewed interest in the industry, and coupled with his proposed measure, "the concerns of the mining industry will be fully addressed." 
"If we pair EO 79 with the House Bill 206, we have the mining industry striking it's first gold," he stressed. 
Tanada said mining has been such a problematic industry for so long as it implicates issues in areas of governance, economic policy and environmental sustainability. 
Despite the implementation of the EO, he said it is still important to enact a new mining law "because many of the industry's problems can be traced back to the Mining Act of 1995 -- in the endless tax holidays of mining companies, in the lack of safeguards against irresponsible contractors, and the rent-seeking system of applying for mining permits." 
"The real problem of mining is the faulty premise in the Mining Act that the industry creates revenues and jobs -- which it doesn't -- and therefore its needs trump the interests of the community being mined," he noted. 
Tanada said mining "implicates issues in areas of governance, economic policy, and environmental sustainability. Naturally, the scope of a law to fix those glitches is broad and requires a lengthy process of consideration and debate." 
As such, he said it is still important to enact a new law on mining. 
Tanada cited figures from 2000-2009 which stated the industry's job-creation at a negligible 0.376 percent while its revenue effort averaged around half the national figure at 7.8 percent. 
Though effective, he averred that the EO is "not a substitute for a new mining law." 
"Because of the inherent limitation of an executive order, it can only prescribe rules for the execution of a law, it cannot change the law. What the Executive has given us here is a starting push, but it cannot do our work for us. Legislation is Congress' work and beyond even the President's powers," he noted. 

Tanada, however, stressed that the EO, though limited, "was a success of the campaign for mining reforms because it accepted the fundamental position of the advocates that some drastic change has to be made to the industry." (PNA) 

LP-NPC-NP coalition not yet sealed – Drilon

MANILA, July 13 (PNA) – Senator Franklin Drilon has clarified that the proposed coalition involving the ruling Liberal Party (LP), Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) and Nacionalista Party (NP) has not yet been sealed, but "there is substantial progress."

”It’s not yet sealed. It’s a work in progress. But there is substantial progress,” Drilon said in media interview after an oversight committee review of the implementation of the conditional cash transfer (CCT) program Thursday afternoon in the Senate.
Drilon said the distribution of senatorial slots in the May 2013 midterm elections is one of the issues being discussed by the LP of President Benigno S. Aquino III, NPC of businessman Danding Cojuangco and NP of Senator Manny Villar.
”There are no fixed numbers. That’s under discussion,” Drilon, LP vice chairman, said.
The senator confirmed that former Senator Jamby Madrigal is included in the long list of possible LP senatorial candidates that also include Rep. Lorenzo "Erin" Tanada, former Senator Ramon Magsaysay Jr. and Senator Aquilino ‘Koko’ Pimentel III.
"That is a long list, many names are there. As we get near October, we will have to assess it... We are talking about alliances, party alliances. That is a matter to be decided as we finalize the coalition," Drilon said.
Drilon refused to comment if the LP is considering the inclusion of Senators Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero, Loren Legarda and Gregorio ‘Gringo’ Honasan and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile’s son Jack Enrile.
Like the United Nationalists Alliance (UNA), Drilon said the administration coalition would not also field guest candidates from other group.
The NP has already announced that it will field four candidates that include former Rep. Cynthia Villar, Rep. Robert ‘Ace’ Barbers and incumbent Senators Antonio Trillanes and Alan Peter Cayetano.

A total of 12 senators will be elected in the 2013 mid- term elections. (PNA)

Robredo forms fact-finding team to probe alleged Duterte's human rights violation

MANILA, July 13 (PNA) - Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo on Friday created a fact-finding team that will investigate Davao City Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte for allegedly forcing a swindler to eat a fake land title he used in duping informal settlers.

“I have ordered the creation of a fact-finding team which will include DILG officials from Region 11 to get to the bottom of the case. I can understand the cries against Duterte’s human rights violations but he must also be subjected through the legal process,” he said.
Robredo made this statement as no formal complaint yet has been lodged against the Davao City official.
Suspected swindler Manolito Gayas was arrested last July 9 based on complaints by some Davao City-based informal settlers, who claimed he peddled counterfeit documents, promising lots in the city in exchange for just P250.
The suspect also claims that he operated a foundation that “owns the entire Philippines,” even presenting a fake Supreme Court decision about his claims.

Last July 10, Duterte reportedly visited Gayas inside his detention cell in the city and forced the latter to eat the fake land title, earning the latter cries of condemnation from various human rights and religious groups. (PNA)

Comelec to assess the ongoing general registration‏ of ARMM voters

MANILA, July 13 (PNA) - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is scheduled to assess the ongoing registration of voters in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) next week.

Comelec Commissioner Armando Velasco said that aside from evaluating the registration process, they may also talk about a possible extension of the registration, particularly in Lanao del Sur.
“We will tackle that in the en banc during our assessment on Monday, July 16,” he added.
Velasco said they will discuss the possibility of having an extension after recording delays in some areas, including the incident last Thursday, wherein the registrants in two barangays in Lanao del Sur were harassed by armed men.
The registration was temporarily suspended but was resumed a few hours later.
He also reported a shooting incident that took place at the municipal hall of Bayang, which wounded some people, also last Thursday.
“While there have been delays (in the registration) because of some unfortunate incidents, I cannot give an assurance yet as to whether there will be an extension or not because that’s the prerogative of the en banc,” Velasco said.

The 10-day registration of voters in the ARMM started on July 9 and will end on July 18. (PNA/Xinhua)

Abu Sayyaf bandit with P350,000 bounty on the head nabbed in Basilan

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 13 (PNA) – Combined police and military forces have arrested a barangay official who is an alleged member of the Abu Sayyaf involved in the kidnapping of an American priest 17 years ago in Jolo, Sulu, a top police official disclosed Friday. The arrested official was also involved in the killing of 14 soldiers 14 years ago in Basilan province, according to Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-9 (CIDG-9) director Senior Supt. Edgar Danao.
The Philippine government through the Department of National Defense (DND) offered a P350,000 cash reward to any informant who could provide information leading to Manjuri’s arrest.
Danao said the suspect, identified as Jumli Orie Manjuri alias Salam and Orie, was arrested around 12 noon Thursday in Barangay Cabunbata, Isabela City, the capital of Basilan province.
He disclosed that Manjuri is the barangay chairman of Cabunbata.
Danao said Manjuri was arrested on the strength of warrants of arrest for kidnapping with frustrated murder and kidnapping with serious illegal detention issued by a Jolo court and Basilan court, respectively.
Majuri’s arrest came after months of surveillance “we conducted on his activities,” Danao disclosed.
The arrested bandit is one of the most trusted men of Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon, who is wanted not only by the Philippine government but also by the American government.
Danao said that Manjuri was arrested while on his way to claim the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) of Barangay Cabunbata.
He said that Manjuri was involved in the kidnapping of American priest, Fr. Clarence William Bertlesman on July 31, 1994 from the Asturias Chapel in Jolo, Sulu.
Bertlesman was rescued several hours after he was seized by the Abu Sayyaf bandits.
Danao said that Manjuri was also involved in a clash between Abu Sayyaf bandits and Special Forces Operational Course (SFOC) sometime in 1998 in Baungis, Lantawan, Basilan that resulted in the death of 14 soldiers.

Danao said that Manjuri was also involved in the April 6, 2008 ambush of three coconut plantation workers in Tairan, Lantawan, Basilan. (PNA)

KDAYAWAN SA DABAW 2012

PIMENTEL MAY RUN ALONE UNDER PDP

Senator Koko Pimentel III may run “alone” in the 2013 senatorial race under the Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).

PDP is half of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), a newly-formed political coalition with former President Joseph Estrada’s Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP).

“There’s no reason for me to rush. I’m not party-less,” Pimentel said.

 Pimentel has no official “suitors” at the moment after he formally bolted the UNA, after Estrada said that UNA would have former Senator Migz Zubiri, Pimentel's arch-rival, in its 2013 senatorial slate..

Pimentel on said he was not in a hurry to join any other political party as a possible guest candidate, noting that the filing of certificates of candidacy for next year’s midterm elections would not start until October.

LP interested

Officials of the Liberal Party (LP) had publicly expressed interest in getting Pimentel soon after he had announced that he was leaving UNA. Pimentel said he could not “in conscience” run with former Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri under the same ticket.

Pimentel failed to serve the first four years of his six-year term after Zubiri was declared winner of the 12th and final spot in the 2007 senatorial race. Zubiri resigned in August last year amid an election fraud investigation, and months before the Senate Electoral Tribunal was to rule on Pimentel’s election protest against him.

‘I will survive’

Pimentel said none from the LP or the Nacionalista Party of Senator Manuel Villar had formally approached him in connection with the 2013 senatorial elections. He said he was ready for what he described as a “worst-scenario” of having to run only under his own party, the PDP-Laban.

“I would look lonely, but I won’t feel lonely,” he said. “With no other party helping me out, I think I would still survive. I have to survive but if I don’t, that’s the price I have to pay.”

Pimentel acknowledged the possibility that he might not get a slot in other political parties should they decide to field a complete senatorial lineup. Going by media reports, he said the LP, for instance, appeared to have a lot of prospective candidates of its own.

“But that should not affect me because I’m not party-less,” he said.

Pimentel said getting the endorsement of any of UNA’s Big 3 was also not out of the question.

He said he could still secure the backing of Estrada, Vice President Jejomar Binay, or Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile—but only if UNA would not come up with a complete slate.

“I can approach them individually, but of course it would depend on them,” he said, agreeing with Enrile’s previous statement that the Senate President could only do so after he had fulfilled his party obligations.

“I would completely understand that. As a party leader, I would also do the same,” Pimentel said.PDI

National Day of Remembrance for Dolphy: July 13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

National Day of Remembrance for Dolphy: July 13

President Benigno Aquino III issued Proclamation 433 declaring July 13, 2012 a National Day of Remembrance in honor of the King of Comedy, Dolphy.

April 2012 PNP Promotional Exam Results, NAPOLCOM PNP Entrance Exam Results April 2012

NAPOLCOM PNP Entrance Exam Results April 2012

April 2012 PNP Promotional Exam Results

CS Exam Results May 2012 Civil Service Passers

CS Exam Results May 2012 Civil Service Passers

 

July 2012 Real Estate Appraiser Board Exam Results

 

July 2012 Real Estate Appraiser Board Exam Results

July 2012 Pharmacist Board Exam Results

 

July 2012 Pharmacist Board Exam Results

Striking workers shut down RMN Davao transmitters

By Germelina Lacorte 

Inquirer Mindanao

DAVAO CITY, Philippines—Workers switched off the transmitters of two radio stations of Radyo Mo Nationwide in Davao City early Tuesday to protest what they claimed was the management’s refusal to discuss salary increases and a package of benefits demanded by the employees.

But while the AM station dxDC was back on the air intermittently on Wednesday, the FM station dxLL remained off the air, with the 93.9 megahertz frequency emitting nothing but static and a hissing sound.

The RMN union here said they had been asking the RMN management to sit down with them and discuss their welfare and package of benefits but it continued to ignore their demand.

 IN MEDIA HARASSMENT!

At 3 a.m. on Tuesday, RMN technicians switched off dxLL and dxDC AM’s transmitters as announcers and other employees skipped work to protest of the company’s alleged refusal to meet with them.

DxDC was back on air Wednesday, albeit intermittently, and striking workers said they believed RMN had set up a relay station somewhere and hooked it up to the network’s Manila station.

The local RMN managed has issued no statement even though the Inquirer left a number for them to call if they wished to discuss the strike.

RMN Davao manager Leo Daugdaug has not replied to queries sent by the Inquirer via text as of Wednesday. Security guards manning the radio stations on Anda Street repeatedly said no one from management was available for interviews.

Gina Hitgano, secretary of the RMN Davao Employees Union, said the strike started at 3 a.m. Tuesday. She said on Tuesday evening, they held a vigil outside the RMN stations.

Hitano said RMN workers also went on a similar strike last year but it was cut short when RMN management signed an agreement with the union, which granted lump sum cash benefits.

She said the management also agreed to hold more negotiations with the union but these have not materialized.

Hitgano said the company hired a new lawyer, who said he was still reviewing past agreements.

She said instead of moving the negotiations forward, the management also attempted to reconstitute a new panel to negotiate with the union.

“We are on strike as answer to the management’s attempt to ignore our legitimate demands,” she said.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP)-Davao chapter said it was supporting the strike.

“Faced with an employer  who refused to heed its workers demand for decent wages and benefits, the employees are left with no option but to strike, a bargaining act that is rightful under the Constitution,” Jessie Casalda, president of NUJP Davao, said in a statement.

JOURNALISTS’ UNION BACKS DAVAO MEDIA WORKERS’ STRIKE VS. RADIO NETWORK

 STATEMENT

July 10, 2012

NUJP-Davao upholds RMN Davao media workers’ right to strike

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines – Davao City Chapter (NUJP-Davao) supports the strike launched by the employees of Radio Mindanao Network Davao starting today.

Faced with an employer heedless of its workers need of decent wages and benefits, the employees are left with no option but to strike, a bargaining act that is rightful under the constitution.

The employer’s callousness to the wage demands of colleagues which are a pittance compared to the profit earned by the company deserves a damning action, no less.

Refusing to go to work until their demands are answered is but a fitting response of the workers to remind the company that they are after all, the spokes that keep the radio business going, and churning in huge profits.

The employees wage and non-wage demands, if totaled would sum up to a measly P99,000.00 a month, in contrast to the P24 million that the RMN Davao station earns monthly.

This strike came a long way. Starting with the dismissal of the former station manager and the sacking of two others in 2010, the RMN Davao workers awoke to the threat of one day losing their jobs if they were not going to fight for it. So they turned to collective action to gain a leverage to bargain with the management following the spate of dismissals. Thus forming a union, a constitutional recourse to be able to defend their jobs and advance their basic rights.

Following the establishment of the union, the RMN Davao workers were able to commence a negotiation for a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) last year. It was timely because the searing price of commodities as a result of oil price hikes had already pushed the wages further down. The employees could not live anymore with a measly P8,000.00 per month.

CBA negotiations however, failed after eight sittings. The management refused to grant any wage increase. The two parties settled on a Voluntary Arbitration scheme, inking a Memorandum of Agreement which stated that union members will be given a lump sum.

The MOA stated that the management and the union will begin to negotiate on the wage increase, rice subsidy, meal allowance starting May this year.  But the management did not comply with the agreement.

Demands for decent wages cannot be put on hold, especially not with RMN doing good business, raking in huge profits. A decent wage is paramount to the media worker’s well-being. Corollary to this is a condition for a free press.

The demands of our colleagues at RMN Davao are just. They are basic human rights.

In support of our colleagues, we say once more that there can be no press freedom if journalists exist in conditions of fear, poverty or corruption. JESSIE CASALDA,Chairperson, NUJP-Davao

DOLPHY TO BRING JOKES, LAUGHTER TO HEAVEN

HELOOOOOO! BUHAY PA AKO!!!!

Comedy’s dead, but long live comedy

Eric Quizon, Dolphy’s son and family spokesperson since his father was confined at the Makati Medical Center more than a month ago, finally issued a statement to media a few minutes before midnight of Tuesday, July 10. He said: “My father Dolphy left at 8:34 p.m. following a cardiac arrest. He lived a full life. He’s at rest. He’s at peace. He knew as he was going how much the country loved him. He knew how everyone was praying for him. And if he could, he would have stayed so just he could thank you personally.
But where his spirit was strong, his body had so weakened. He had to go.
On behalf of my brothers and sisters, on behalf of everyone who loved him, on behalf of Zsa Zsa, my brother, Ronnie, my sister Dona, my sister Kit, we all thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Pray for his eternal repose and in his honor, please smile at the person standing next to you.
Heaven is a happier place with him there. And for us he’s left behind, comedy’s dead, but long live comedy.”
Eric, who rushed to Manila from a shoot in Bataan, thanked everyone and asked for prayers for the eternal repose of his father’s soul.
Dolphy’s remains will be brought to the Heritage Memorial Park in Taguig.

read more & cry: Dolphy: A legacy of laughter

Dolphy – A tribute to the Philippines’ one and only Comedy King

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Dolphy – A tribute to the Philippines‘ one and only Comedy King

Pinoys mourn Dolphy’s passing

• President Benigno Simeon Aquino III confers the Grand Collar of the Order of the Golden Heart to comedian Rodolfo, more popular as Dolphy, Vera Quizon Monday November 08, 2010 at the Rizal Ceremonial Hall

President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III leads the nation in mourning for the comedy king, Dolphy, who passed away Tuesday night after a long bout with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. In a statement, Aquino extended his condolences and acknowledged that Dolphy was the embodiment of hope amid trials.
“Sa loob ng mahabang panahon, ipinakita sa atin ni Dolphy na anumang pagsubok ay may katuwang na pag-asa at ligaya; mulat siyang anumang problema ay mapangingibabawan ng positibong pagtanaw sa kapalaran. [For a long time, Dolphy showed us that we can surpass trials. He was aware of hardships but taught all of us to always look at the brighter side],” Aquino said.
He also noted that Dolphy changed not only the movie industry.
“Binago niya hindi lamang ang kaniyang industriya, kundi maging ang pambansang kamalayan: sa pamamagitan ng kaniyang sining, pinalawak ni Dolphy ang ating pananaw, at binigyan tayo ng kakayahang suriin, pahalagahan, at hanapan ng ngiti ang mga pang-araw-araw na pangyayari sa buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” Aquino said.
The President added that the good-hearted Dolphy symbolized a typical Filipino: joyful, one who loves well, who knows how to respect others, and knows how to face trials.
“Nagmula siya sa isang henerasyong dumaan sa maraming pagsubok—at sa pakikipagsapalaran ay natutong maging mapagpakumbaba, matapat, at matulungin. Hindi kailanman niya tinalikuran ang mga kaibigan, at ang sambayanang naging bukal ng kanyang mga tagumpay,” he added.
“Nakikiisa ako at ang aking pamilya, sampu ng ating mga kasamahan sa gobyerno, sa pagluluksa ng Pamilya Quizon ngayong gabi. Ang pagpanaw ni Rodolfo Quizon Sr.—ang nag-iisang Hari ng Komedya—ay tiyak na nagdudulot ng lumbay sa isang bansang matagal niyang pinasaya,” the President added.
Last June, Malacanang was urged by Vice President Jejomar Binay, among other groups, to name Dolphy a “National Artist” but the comedy king did not live to see the day.
The National Artist Award is the “highest national recognition given to Filipino individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of Philippine arts,” according to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
Apart from the prestige and a medal, a National Artist is entitled to material and physical benefits that includes a monthly pension, hospitalization benefits, and arrangements and expenses for a state funeral. For post-humous awardees, legal heirs are entitled to P75,000.
Should Dolphy be officially nominated, his candidacy will still have to undergo several deliberations by the Commissioners of the NCCA and the Board of Trustees of the CCP.

RMN-Dxdc workers start labor strike in Davao City

Radio journalist REY FABE sets fire to a streamer bearing Radio Mindanao Network’s  logo during one of the mass actions by workers of Davao City radio station Dxdc

MARIO MAXIMO Dodong SOLIS. His termination in 2010 as Dxdc station manager sowed the first seed of unease among RMN workers

RMN-Dxdc workers start labor strike in Davao City starting 12:01 TODAY JULY 10, 2012

 

READ MORE:

Radio workers in Davao gear up for strike – Bulatlat

RMN workers formally file strike notice before NCMB | Mindanao …

On respecting the rights of media workers | DURIANBURGDAVAO …

Governors oppose Aquino mining policy

Manila  – At least 40 anti-mining governors would challenge before the Supreme Court the Aquino administration¿s mining policy upon its signing by Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, Albay Governor Joey Salceda said.

Salceda said local government executives would oppose the mining policy that was supposed to be signed by President Aquino on Friday but was placed on hold because it put them in an adversarial position to the national government. It would also dismiss their autonomy and independence in favor of national laws and regulations on the mining industry, Salceda said.

According to the Albay governor, a member of the ruling Liberal Party, the mining policy stresses that the national laws take primacy over local laws and ordinances. As such, the national government can override anti- or pro-mining laws set by local executives.

¿We consider that provocative. In other words, it¿s not conducive to a productive national conversation on the policy,” Salceda said in a forum organised by the International Women¿s Media Forum recently.

¿It will breed inequality of income and assets, it will destroy the countryside. It¿s definitely anti-rural, that EO is anti-LGU,” Salceda said.

He noted that at least 40 provinces have passed ordinances that restrict, regulate or oppose mining, especially metallic mining and large-scale mining. Albay currently has not been accepting mining applications, he said.

The executive order, Salceda said, could not invalidate their ordinances against mining. If the order was signed with this provision, local government executives would definitely go to the Supreme Court to strike it, he said.

¿Forty governors are opposing it,” he noted.

¿An executive order does not destroy an ordinance, they have to bring it to the Supreme Court to do a short cut. That executive order will not make our ordinances disappear because they are articulation of democratic aspirations,” he explained.

Salceda said Malaca?ang knew of their opposition to the mining policy. This could be the reason why the President has not signed it yet, he said.

The resistance from the local executives came at an awkward time for the administration. It needs as much support as it can muster from the local governments to keep its power in the provinces for the mid-term local elections in 2013.

Local governments distrust the national government and the mining companies because they have not felt the benefits brought by mining activities, Salceda said, adding that profit-sharing between the local and national branches are skewed to the latter.

His province, for instance, which hosts the Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project, only received 3.4 million pesos (US$80,300) from the mining company¿s revenues. The company¿s export value reached 7.7 billion pesos ($181.9 million).

¿It is a failure when it comes to inter-generational sharing of resources. The basic principle why you allow mining is because it is for everyone including the next generation. Therefore, you should be able to raise sufficient revenues so that future generations would benefit from it,” said Salceda, a former member of the Arroyo economic team.

¿The revenues you raise could be invested in things that would benefit at least three generations after you, like roads, bridges, enterprise development. But you can¿t do that with 3.4 million pesos,” he said.

Salceda said the mining industry¿s track record in the Philippines has been in tatters, with most of the provinces with big mines also being the poorest, he said. Previous mining companies have also failed to rehabilitate their abandoned mine sites.

Furthermore, mining operations, which are often militarised, breed tension in communities.

Salceda also called on Mines and Geosciences Bureau Director Leo Jasareno to resign from his post, saying Jasareno should regulate, not promote, mining activities.

President Aquino was supposed to sign the much-delayed and long-awaited executive order last Friday. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, which was in charge of the order, initially planned it to be issued in early 2012. The original plan was to have a comprehensive mining policy that would spell out new regulatory and tax rules for the mining companies.

But last February, this plan was shelved. Instead, it was announced that Malaca?ang would only issue a policy statement that would lay out the administration¿s direction on the mining sector. It also did away with controversial provisions on the valuation of natural wealth and taxation, pending more legal studies on these matters.

Aquino’s mining policy can withstand legal test

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang gave assurances yesterday that President Aquino’s new executive order on mining, described as a comprehensive policy regulating the industry, will be able to withstand judicial scrutiny.

“We are prepared to defend it. That is usually the case whenever the executive comes out with an executive order or even an AO (administrative order), an MC (memorandum circular), an MO (memorandum order). We’re ready if this is challenged (in court),” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said.

Valte told state-run radio dzRB that critics should wait for the government to release the EO, which she described as a product of multi-level consultations with stakeholders.

 

READ MORE:

Palace: Mining EO can withstand judicial scrutiny

PHILIPPINE MINING AGENDA in Aquino executive order on mining policy

Manila (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) – Aside from extracting more revenues from the mining industry, the government plans to wield control over a wider range of lucrative mineral resources, including oil and gas under a new mining policy being fine-tuned by the Philippine Palace.

A proposed executive order (EO) drafted by the Cabinet clusters on climate change mitigation and economic issues laid down six points as part of the Aquino administration¿s mining agenda.

These include the declaration of the primacy of national laws over local laws allowing small-scale mining, which has set off criticisms from governors.

READ MORE:

6 points laid out in Philippine mining agenda

BISHOPS START DRIVE VERSUS AQUINO MINING POLICY

Manila (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) – Philippine President Benigno Aquino III is set to announce his administration's new mining policy today but the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has already started a signature campaign calling for a moratorium on its implementation.

 

The CBCP started gathering signatures from its members over the weekend to also push for the urgent passage of an alternative mining law even as the Philippine Palace appealed to all to hold off any comment until the new mining policy is released and digested.

The Palace said President Benigno Aquino¿s newly signed executive order (EO) spelling out his administration's mining policy would be released today.

 

READ MORE:

• Philippine bishops start drive vs new mining policy

Protesters opposing new executive order on …

NDF-Philippines ON PRESIDENT AQUINO’S MINING POLICY

Press Statement

09 July 2012

 

THE RAPID EXPANSION OF MINING AND PLANTATIONS OWNED BY IMPERIALISTS AND THE RULING CLASS MEANS CALAMITIES AND WAR IN MINDANAO

Military operations in Mindanao have escalated and have become more extensive with the aim to thwart the ever growing and widespread people’s protest against destructive mining operations and plantations owned by imperialists, the big comprador bourgeois and big landlords.  After having ravaged the environment by way of wanton logging, imperialists and the local ruling clique insidiously intend to inflict even greater devastation to the environment; and, to deprive, oppress and exploit further the Lumads, Moro, peasants and workers in order to satiate their greed for superprofit.

In Far Southern Mindanao, the opposition of the B’laan and Moro peoples, the religious, peasants and irrigators’ cooperatives, the local government, and the people in general against Xstrata-SMI — the largest gold mining operation in Southeast Asia, covering 90,000 hectares in the quadri-boundary of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Davao del Sur and Saranggani, corpulent with a capitalization of US$5.9 billion — has gained strength and broadened.  Suffering from blatant and relentless violations by the Xstrata-SMI against their ancestral domain, the B’laan Lumads have been pushed to wage a “Red Pangayaw” (Tribal War) against Xstrata-SMI, as well as against the security guards, Army, CAFGU and PNP protecting the company.  On June 20, their ambush resulted in the demise of Chief Security Ret. Police Supt. Villamindo Hectin and of PO2 Rey Tonzo, and the wounding of SPO1 Wenefredo Sengonnigue and PO1 Glen Beltran.  In the second ambush that took place the same day in Makak, Brgy. Kiblawan, North Cotabato, one official of the 1002nd Brigade and 2 CAFGUs were wounded.

These were followed by an ambush on June 26 launched by the B’laan in Kimlawis, Kiblawan, where PO Yolly Jean Singkolan was killed in the course of combat.   In 1995, the Western Mining Company, the first to bring large-scale mining to Tampakan, was compelled to abandon their operations when the B’laan Lumads waged a “Revolutionary Pangayaw” against the company. In January of 2008, the NPA dismantled the administration office of the Xstrata-SMI in Tampakan, South Cotabato, and in the following year, the NPA raided the Tampakan PNP protecting the company.

In the Southern Mindanao Region, where numerous imperialist mining companies operate such as the Russell Mines and Minerals, Apex Mining Corp. and Philco, the people’s protest against large-scale mining is also strong and wide.  In the past, small-scale miners’ associations launched, in several occasions, protest actions against an imperialist mining company which, together with its local partners, aimed to grab from the small-scale miners the very source of gold in Diwalwal, Monkayo, Compostela Valley.  There were also several instances in the region where the NPA sanctioned highly destructive mining operations as well as militarily targeted units of the AFP, CAFGU, PNP and other security forces actively protecting large-scale mining companies.

In North Central Mindanao, the opposition of Lumad peoples, especially the Manobos and the Matigsalogs, together with the peasants, church, LGU and other sectors against the mining operations of Indophil in Quezon and in San Fernando, Bukidnon is fast gaining ground; that is precisely why the 8th IB continues with its intensified military operations in the said area.   Currently, in the interest of mining companies, the 8th IB has forcibly placed under hamlet more than 100 peasant and Lumad families in Sitio Sikayab, Brgy. Bunacao, San Fernando, Bukidnon.  There is also strong people’s protest against the expansion of the Dolefil, DelMonte and Sumifru plantations, in whose areas the military, every now and then, conducts combat operations in order to secure these companies’ interests.  On the other hand, within two weeks alone, the NPA in the region has launched 5 tactical offensives against operating troops of the AFP, CAFGU and PNP.  One of these was the ambush conducted by the NPA on June 17 against operating 8th IB troops in Sikayab, Bunacao, San Fernando, Bukidnon, where 9 army personnel were killed-in-action (KIA) and 2 others wounded; the NPA sustained no casualty.

In Western Mindanao,  there is widespread opposition among the Subanen and Moro peoples, peasants and workers, church and the middle forces against  military operations conducted by the Tabak Division of the Army aimed at crushing people’s dissent against the ever-rising number of mining sites and operations of the Toronto Venture Inc. (TVI) in the entire region.  If one recalls, more than 400 families were forced to evacuate their ancestral lands because of TVI and the ruthless military operations that ensued to protect it in Buug, Zamboanga del Sur.  In order to defend the people’s human rights and general wellbeing, the NPA launched tactical offensives against TVI as well as against units of the AFP-PNP-CAFGU protecting it, such as the ambush on February 2012 that hit elements of the army intelligence group operating on the behest of TVI. The imposition of the local government to allow TVI mining operations on Subanen ancestral lands is one of the bases the NPA raided on April 9 the PNP station in Tigbao, Zamboanga del Sur.

In Caraga, where the number of mining companies is most concentrated, a stronger and more far-reaching opposition led by the Lumads, church and local government groups and a broad range of people’s aggrupation against large-scale mining’s destructive effects, as well as against the ever-expanding Dolefil, Del Monte and Sumifru plantations, is at present gaining unprecedented groundswell.  Because of this, the military operations of various troop units from the 4th ID PA continue almost unabated, which has already resulted in massive evacuations and in the perpetration of brutal human rights violations against the people.  On the other hand, the NPA has already simultaneously sanctioned three giant mining companies in Claver, Surigao del Norte on October 3, 2011.  In the last two weeks alone, the NPA was able to launch 10 military actions against enemy troops protecting these mining companies and plantations.  One of these was the NPA attack on June 27 in Puog, Tandag City, against 29th IB troops, where 2Lt. Martinez was killed, and 2Lt. Gomez and Cpl. Cabahis were wounded.  The NPA was able to seize one M16 rifle.

And recently on July 6, the NPA in NEMR successfully sanctioned the VPO Mines, Inc. for maintaining a disproportionately large number of armed goons (with more than 60 high-powered rifles and other weapons) while wantonly operating in Brgy. Bayugan III, Rosario, Agusan del Sur. The NPA was able to confiscate 30 firearms from the company, which include the following: 13 HPRs (7 M16s, 2 M4 Carbine arm-a-lite rifles, 1 M203, 2 M14, 1 AK-47), 9 shotguns, 6 .45 Cal pistols, 2 .9mm-KG, and several ammunition.

In view of these events, the NDFP in Mindanao calls upon the Lumad and Moro peoples, peasants and workers, religious and other sectors to further strengthen their unity and their courage to oppose the interests of imperialist mines and plantations, which are exceedingly damaging to Mindanao, to its people and to the environment.  We call upon the units of the NPA in Mindanao to be ever more daring in their defense of people’s interests against the greed and rapacity of the local ruling classes and their imperialist master.

 

Ka Oris
Spokesperson
NDFP-Mindanao

President Aquino OKs Executive Order on mining

President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III has issued a new executive order aimed to strengthen the enforcement of environmental laws on mining.

Under the EO, the government has six months to develop “a national program and road-map, based on the Philippine Development Plan and a National Industrialization Plan, for the development of value-adding activities and downstream industries for strategic metallic ores.”
In the Executive Order No.79 released by Malacanang on Monday, the Department of Environment and National Resources “shall ensure that environmental standards in mining, as prescribed by the various mining and environmental laws, rules, and regulations, shall be fully and strictly enforced, and appropriate sanctions meted out against violators thereof.”
The order also identifies areas where mining will not be allowed such as areas under the National Tourism Development Plan, critical areas and island eco-systems, as well as agricultural and fisheries development zones.
According to a briefer from the office of Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., no new permits will be granted for mining in Palawan.
“The ecological uniqueness of Palawan’s flora and fauna and the need to protect the same is recognized,” the Office of the Executive Secretary said.
Although existing mining operations will be allowed to continue, Congress must pass a law “rationalizing existing revenue sharing schemes and mechanisms” before any new mining agreement is granted, the EO said.
“The DENR may continue to grant and issue Exploration Permits under existing laws, rules, and guidelines. The grantees of such permits shall have the rights under the said laws, rules, and guidelines over the approved exploration area,” the EO said.
Grantees of the permits will also have the first option to develop the site as soon as Congress passes a law for revenue sharing.

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