Indigenous and Moro peoples’ groups, along with environmental and human rights defenders, held a rally in front of the main office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Quezon City on Monday, a day after the 29th anniversary of the implementation of the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, or Republic Act No. 7942.
The groups demanded the repeal of the law, which they said promoted destructive large-scale and open-pit mining operations on land and coastal waters.
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“Enacted during the administration of former President Fidel Ramos, the mining law liberalized the Philippine mining industry to bolster the country’s economic growth. However, nearly three decades later, mountains have been flattened, rivers have become lifeless, and the well-being of the people has been severely affected,” Katribu said in a statement. —RUSSEL LORETO