Palace says mining banned in watersheds, protected areas

Malacañang on Tuesday, July 21, stressed that the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 prohibits mining agreements inside watersheds and other protected areas.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, citing the DENR, said Republic Act No. 7942 bars mining in proclaimed watershed forest reserves, old-growth forests, national parks, mangrove forests, and other environmentally protected areas.

Castro made the clarification after questions were raised over claims that mining operations had affected the water supply in Surigao City.

She said there is no mining activity inside the Parang-Parang Watershed and that DENR records show no evidence linking the city’s water shortage to mining operations.

“Kung may ebidensiya po ng environmental abuses, welcome po itong isumite sa DENR para maimbestigahan. Pero sa ngayon po ay hindi po lumalabas sa talaan at datos nila na mayroon ganitong klaseng pang-aabuso,” Castro said.IMT