This Executive Order sets policies and guidelines to ensure environmental protection and responsible mining in the utilization of mineral resources. The Order identifies areas closed to mining applications, including protected areas and prime agricultural lands. Tourism development areas and other critical areas, including island ecosystems are also considered as no-go mining zones. Other provisions include: the full enforcement of environmental standards; the establishment of mineral reserves; competitive bidding for mining rights; measures to improve small-scale mining operations; the use of Programmatic Environmental Impact Assessment that studies the impacts of development activities at different levels; etc. It also provides for the establishment of the Mining Industry Coordinating Council that will ensure the proper coordination and implementation of the new policy.
Philippines · 2012-07-06