The Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP), the largest mining organization in the country, welcomes the nomination of climate change advocate Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga as secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
“Our association, composed of most of the country’s large-scale metallic minerals development companies, looks forward to working with her in fulfilling President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s thrust of striking a balance between economic development and environmental protection under his administration,” COMP said in a statement.
COMP chairman Michael Toledo said mining companies remain committed to making mines environmentally sustainable.
“We are prepared to work with Sec. Yulo-Loyzaga in her advocacies, particularly disaster risk reduction and response, sustainable development goals, and climate change protection,” Toledo said.
“Our sector eagerly anticipates a meaningful engagement with Sec. Yulo-Loyzaga as well as the members of the government’s economic team led by Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno who has said that mining will be accelerated under the Marcos administration to help buttress the country’s post-pandemic recovery initiatives,” the COMP chief added.
Toledo likewise said the organization would continue its fight against illegal mining.
“COMP is for all efforts to foster and promote responsible mineral development in the Philippines. Sec. Yulo-Loyzaga can count on our full support in weeding out illegal miners and curtailing irresponsible mining practices, which have tarnished the reputation of our industry for so long,” he said.