Resource information
This report explores the effects of mining in the Philippines. The report argues that mining in the Philippines is being developed at a speed and in a manner likely to cause massive long-term environmental damage and social problems.The report finds that: current mining plans will undermine the Government’s own strategy for sustainable development by destroying or severely damaging critical eco-systems, including watersheds, rivers, marine eco-systems and important agricultural production areasimplementation of the proposed mining plan will bring insufficient benefits to the Filipino peoplecorruption is a serious problem in the Philippines and it can be expected that plans for extensive mining operations in remote areas requiring licensing, regulation and monitoring will make it worsethe Philippines currently faces a crisis of extra-judicial killings. More than 700 activists – including civil rights and environmental advocates – have been killed since the current administration came to power in 2001.The report recommends that: the Philippine government should cancel all current mining applications that will inevitably cause major environmental damage to critical watersheds, eco-systems, agriculture or fisheries and result in social disruptionthe Philippine government should revoke the Mining Act of 1995 and enact alternative legislation that more effectively protects the interests of the affected local communities, indigenous peoples and the environmentthe World Bank Group should halt its promotion and support for mining expansion in the Philippines under current conditionsall mining projects should be inspected by reputable independent organisations before investment.
