Mining in the Philippines Essay

A. IntroductionThe Philippine Government believes that a well-developed minerals industry is an extract that can catalyze economic schooling and community empowerment. Minerals are expound of its national patrimony, hence there is a big responsibility to increase the benefits that can be derived from their utilization with due regard to the protection of the milieu and without sacrificing the interests of communities.The legal and administrative frame wreak governing the minerals industry in the Philippines is contained in Republic Act no 7942 (otherwise known as the Philippine excavation Act of 1995) and given flesh by its revised implementing rules and regulations (Administrative Order No. 96-40) and its subsequent amendments. These policies advocate the sustainable development of mineral resources in the country. eon both the Mining Act and its regulations provide a strong concentrate on environmental and social management, they continue to be the subject of pass by some non-government organizations who are questioning the compatibility of extraction and utilization of minerals with sustainable development. Also, they have questioned the constitutionality of the major provisions of the Mining Act governing the amour of foreign-owned corporations in the exploration, development and utilization of these mineral resources by filing a case at the Supreme Court in February, 1997.After octet years of study, the high court initially decided to sustain the intrust of the contesting parties. However, after successful presentation of arguments by Government and industry on the merits of allowing foreign investors to participate in the development of the minerals industry, the case was finally unflinching in December 1, 2004 when the high court reversed its earlier last and upheld the constitutionality of the contested provisions in the Mining Act. With this legal impediment removed, exploration and development activities in the Philippine minerals indust ry is due to become vivacious once again.Compared to previous policy regimes on mining, the Mining Act calls for a greater responsibility from Government and the industry. Mining companies are expected to work closer with stakeholders to improve the quality of life within the communities where they operate. As regulator, Government, on the other hand, has the responsibility of establishing and maintaining the enabling environment for a sustainable development of the industry.Minerals development in the country is led by no less(prenominal) than the President of the Republic of the Philippines. In her declaration of a policy breakout in mining from tolerance to promotion, minerals development was elevated among the antecedence economic activities in the country during her presidential tenure. Early this year, she signed administrator Order No. 270 which approved a national policy schedule on revitalizing the minerals industry based on the principles of sustainable development. F rom this order, a Minerals Action Plan (MAP) was subsequently formulated by Government to map a roadmap for the future development of the minerals industry. Minerals development is now an important ingredient of the Medium Term Philippine Development Plan 2004-2010.