Senator Gordon Bats for Responsible Mining, Charter Change
By Cathy delos Santos, Asian Journal
In contrast to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines call to end all mining activities in the country, Senator Richard Gordon batted for the implementation of ‘responsible mining’ in the Philippines.
Speaking to the Philippine Business Leaders Forum, part of an international network of executive peer group forums, last Wednesday, Senator Gordon urged the government to “focus on how mining is conducted [in the country].”
“There needs to be a dialogue between bishops, the mining community, and the people, to create a truly responsible business with checks and balances.”
The CBCP released a January 29 pastoral statement, which had cited the undelivered promises of progress and the social and ecological damage that trans-national mining companies make in the country.
Senator Gordon pointed out that the Philippines is losing its window of opportunity to create jobs and generate income from mining. However, he clarified that he will only support mining if it will benefit local communities and if companies are mindful of the ecological soundness of their operations. “Mining is a quick fix. It requires big time investment, high technology, and a lot of workers. Get the people to be stakeholders. What people want to know is: what is the benefit? Ask [the mining companies] what is your exit plan when you close the mine?”
“[We need to] explain to them that there will be damages [caused by mining], but this is what you’ll get in return. If the cost outweighs the benefit, then I would rather not,” he said.
He cited the lack of consistency of how mining is conducted in the Philippines as the reason for the dubious reputation and environmental disasters caused by mining companies in the country. Senator Gordon believes that confidence-building measures between the companies and the people are needed to allow the business to prosper.
“There is nothing wrong with mining. But we need to select miners. If America and Canada have mining, why can’t we? We need to tell them [mining companies] that if you guys get involved in shenanigans, what [law] is good there [in America] is what is good here.”
Senator Gordon also batted for Charter change, calling the 1987 Charter “one of the worst constitutions in the world.” However, he opposed the proposal to scrap elections in 2007, saying that the proposal had more to do with “ a bankruptcy of ideals” rather than change.
He also urged the government to strengthen political parties based on ideology to end turncoatism. “People won’t have much faith in [a parliamentary government] if everybody in it is ‘buyable.’”
He urged the government to pursue electronic elections and electoral reform, noting that a change in the way elections are conducted in the country would alter the mindset of the people that election fraud is prevalent in the country. He pointed out that the long waiting period for results encourages an atmosphere for cheats. (AJ)
Speaking to the Philippine Business Leaders Forum, part of an international network of executive peer group forums, last Wednesday, Senator Gordon urged the government to “focus on how mining is conducted [in the country].”
“There needs to be a dialogue between bishops, the mining community, and the people, to create a truly responsible business with checks and balances.”
The CBCP released a January 29 pastoral statement, which had cited the undelivered promises of progress and the social and ecological damage that trans-national mining companies make in the country.
Senator Gordon pointed out that the Philippines is losing its window of opportunity to create jobs and generate income from mining. However, he clarified that he will only support mining if it will benefit local communities and if companies are mindful of the ecological soundness of their operations. “Mining is a quick fix. It requires big time investment, high technology, and a lot of workers. Get the people to be stakeholders. What people want to know is: what is the benefit? Ask [the mining companies] what is your exit plan when you close the mine?”
“[We need to] explain to them that there will be damages [caused by mining], but this is what you’ll get in return. If the cost outweighs the benefit, then I would rather not,” he said.
He cited the lack of consistency of how mining is conducted in the Philippines as the reason for the dubious reputation and environmental disasters caused by mining companies in the country. Senator Gordon believes that confidence-building measures between the companies and the people are needed to allow the business to prosper.
“There is nothing wrong with mining. But we need to select miners. If America and Canada have mining, why can’t we? We need to tell them [mining companies] that if you guys get involved in shenanigans, what [law] is good there [in America] is what is good here.”
Senator Gordon also batted for Charter change, calling the 1987 Charter “one of the worst constitutions in the world.” However, he opposed the proposal to scrap elections in 2007, saying that the proposal had more to do with “ a bankruptcy of ideals” rather than change.
He also urged the government to strengthen political parties based on ideology to end turncoatism. “People won’t have much faith in [a parliamentary government] if everybody in it is ‘buyable.’”
He urged the government to pursue electronic elections and electoral reform, noting that a change in the way elections are conducted in the country would alter the mindset of the people that election fraud is prevalent in the country. He pointed out that the long waiting period for results encourages an atmosphere for cheats. (AJ)
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