Mining was identified as the top priority issue in the Luzon and Mindanao REAs and ranked second in the Visayas. Indeed, legal or otherwise, aside from being a primary contributor to the degradation of the country’s forest cover, it also results in the displacement of and discord among local indigenous communities.
The Foundation is therefore pushing for the critical review of existing laws and policies covering the mining industry, as well as the independent monitoring of mining concessions and violations of mining-related environmental laws. In addition, the adoption of a “people’s mining policy” through an alternative to the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 (RA 7942) and the enactment of the Mineral Management Bill for a Philippine Resources Act are being pursued in terms of legislation.