'Malabo?' Senate bets propose 'mining with conscience'

MANILA -- Crisanto Corpuz, a farmer in Zambales whose crops were ruined by mining sediments in 2010, was unsatisfied with senatorial aspirants' push for "responsible mining," and labeled their proposals as "malabo (vague)."

During the second run of "Harapan 2019: The ABS-CBN Senatorial Town Hall Debate" on Sunday, Corpuz confronted 8 senatorial candidates and asked them if a nationwide mining ban should be imposed.

Former Bayan Muna Party-list Rep. Neri Colmenares said mining companies should be held accountable for environmental damage.

"Dapat may accountability ang mining companies... Dapat magbayad sila ng karampatang tax sa sira sa kalikasan," he said.

(There should be accountability among mining companies... They should pay a corresponding tax for damaging the environment.)

Former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas blamed the incorrect implementation of existing mining laws.

"Ang problema ay nagmumula sa di tamang pagpapatupad ng batas... Hindi pinapatupad. Diyan tayo dapat tumutuok," he said.

(The problem starts with the incorrect implementation of the law... Failure to implement. That is where we should focus.)

Human rights lawyer Erin Tañada said communities in proposed mining areas should be consulted.

"Kung hindi sila papayag, dapat di payagan ng gobyerno," Tañada said.

(If the communities don't agree, the government shouldn't allow it.)

Former federalism Consultative Committee spokesperson Ding Generoso said miners should practice "mining with a conscience."

Corpuz, the farmer, said the senate aspirants' proposals were "vague."

"Hindi sapat. Medyo may kalabuan pa din po... Ang mina po salot sa aming magsasaka yan kasi halos lahat po ng minimina nila sa Zambales watershed lahat yan na kinukuhanan namin ng patubig sa aming palayan," he lamented.

(It's lacking. It's a bit confusing... Mining is a plague to us farmers because almost all mining in Zambales is in watersheds, which is also our source of irrigation.)