Mining can be both safe and lucrative, says Gibo

Lakas-Kampi CMD presidential bet Gilbert Teodoro has presented ways that would allow mining operation to continue and help provide communities with livelihood without hurting the environment.

In a forum, Teodoro said mining industry players should, for one, employ practices that are environmentally friendly adding that mining need not be destructive and can actually be environment-friendly if done responsibly.

To advance environmental protection, the former Defense secretary said that existing and prospective mining industry players must be required to return the mines development site in the same condition that they found it.

He said to maintain harmony within the mines development sites, mining players should respect the will of the local communities, giving emphasis on the plight of the indigenous people.

“The local communities, including the indigenous people should agree to the project of the proponent. They could start out a bargaining formula,” Teodoro noted.

He emphasized that the state owns the mineral wealth in the country, but an equitable sharing to host communities must not be forgotten.

Teodoro also proposed a stop to unregulated small-scale mining operations, which he described as very destructive because they employ irresponsible practices.

“We must use mining to try to segue the industrial development of our country, such as manufacturing raw mining materials into finished products,” he said.

Opposition’s bailiwick
Meanwhile the administration party’s standard-bearer not only managed to dramatically improve his ratings but also managed to gather support even from known territories of the opposition.

Teodoro in his recent visit in Roxas City has secured the support of Rep. Fredenil Castro of the second district of Capiz and Mayor Vicente Bermejo of Roxas City.

The two local officials raised the hands of Teodoro in front of thousands of students and supporters in Hercor College during the Lakas-Kampi CMD bet’s recent visit here.

Castro said that Bermejo and majority of the 47 barangay captains in the city are also rooting for Teodoro as their presidential candidate in the May 2010 elections.

Over 30 governors and mayors belonging to “One Visayas”—the alliance of the three Regional Development Councils in Western, Central and Eastern Visayas—have earlier put up a united front behind the administration bet by signing separate manifestoes of support for his presidential bid during the “Suroy-suroy sa Sugbu” festival in Cebu. –Jefferson Antiporda, Manila Times