THE Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA) said it will embark on a campaign to deal with small-scale mining, beginning with efforts to promote mining safety to the local government of Baguio.
“We have had talks with the governor, the mayor, and we’re trying to tell him — I told him — ‘Look, you have to support us with this. You are allowing illegal operations,’” PMSEA president Walter William B. Brown said in a press conference in Quezon City on Monday, adding that the group will travel to Baguio on Wednesday to meet with officials there.
“Unless you show the people that you are willing to follow the law, our problem really is a problem of discipline.”
Mr. Brown also emphasized that small-scale miners are not at fault. “[That’s why we] buy their stockpile, we give time to take their goods out and if the government allows to take them out, we allow them to do so. We give them the chance to be integrated in our system,” he said.
“They don’t seem to understand what we’re trying to do but I feel that we have to offer them alternatives because they have no other place to go.”
Mr. Brown said each accredited mining firm is already deputized to manage its own operations and area to avoid further casualties.
“For one thing, it’s an obligation for an MPSA (Mineral Production Sharing Agreement holder) to police itself and its own area. If you don’t do it, you’re at fault, don’t blame the small-scale miner,” he said.
Mr. Brown reiterated that there is no need for new laws, given that there is enough legislation to regulate the industry.
“We have a good mining law, it’s just not implemented properly. In fact, we have one of the best mining laws in the world, but it’s not implemented,” he said. — AGAM
