Chamber of Mines joins hands with civil society groups for responsible mining

TRUE to its commitment of promoting responsible and sustainable mining operations in the country, the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines has initiated collaboration efforts with civil society groups to address such issues as environmental protection and social development.

Mr. Benjamin Philip G. Romualdez, President of the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines and the President and CEO of Benguet Corporation, speaking during the ongoing Mining Philippines 2011 Conference and Exhibition from September 13 to 15 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza, said that the industry is “confident that the reasons to be upbeat far outweigh the reasons to be wary”.

“As an expression of our resolve to advance the causes of the very sectors who oppose the industry, we have sought the expertise and assistance of the Philippine Business for Social Progress in the area of community development and of the World Wildlife Fund in environmental conservation in an effort to find new and better ways of measuring our performance in these areas,” Mr. Romualdez announced.

Among the speakers of the conference, with the theme “Driving Progress, Communicating Results”, are Mr. Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan, Vice-Chairman and CEO of World Wildlife Fund Philippines, who will speak on “Integrating Biodiversity in the Mining Life Cycle” and Mr. Rafael C. Lopa, Executive Director, Philippine Business for Social Progress, who will discuss “Meeting Society’s Social and Environmental Expectations: A Score Card”.

Others include Atty. Dennis Quintero, Partner, Quisumbing Torres Law Office on “The Dynamics between the IPRA and the Mining Act”, and Justice Alberto C. Agra, Professor, College of Law, Ateneo De Manila University on “Understanding the Mechanics and Defense Strategies on the Writ of Kalikasan”.

Furthermore, Mr. Romualdez announced that “The Chamber and its member-companies will likewise bring their commitment to the promotion of education with the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Education, through Secretary Armin Luistro, for DepEd’s Adopt-a-School Program.”

“It is our hope that, through these and more and, following the Philippine minerals development policy, we will further be able to meet the parameters of responsible mining: economic growth, environmental protection, and social equity towards sustainability. We also intend to report to you the results of our efforts in the coming months,” Mr. Romualdez said.

The Chamber of Mines of the Philippines is host of the event which is graced by top government officials, including Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr., representing President Benigno Aquino III and Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon JP Paje, Jr. Ayda Zoleta, DENR