The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is set to cancel 27 mineral production sharing agreements (MPSAs) in Luzon, 11 MPSAs in the Visayas and 37 MPSAs in Mindanao, or a total of 75 MPSAs.
DENR Secretary Regina Lopez said the decision was reached due to concerns on adverse environmental impacts on watersheds covered by these MPSAs. She added that irreparable environmental damage from mining leaves mined-out areas almost impossible to restore to their respective former states. The DENR has started issuing Tuesday its show cause orders for holders of non-operating MPSAs to justify, within seven days, why the government agency must not cancel these agreements.
For its part, the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) said the announcement has now become an issue of upholding the sanctity of contracts and a question of due process. The group added that the cancellation of MPSAs does not rest on Ms. Lopez alone but must be collectively decided upon by the government as a whole considering the adverse impact it may have on the country.
