Philippine Movement for Climate Justice Condemns Supreme Court Decision on Mining Ban

The Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ) has strongly condemned the Supreme Court's decision to nullify the 25-year moratorium on mining enacted by the provincial government of Occidental Mindoro and the municipality of Abra De Ilog. This move reverses the gains made by climate-vulnerable communities determined to take back their future from ecological degradation, displacement, cultural loss, food insecurity, and health issues caused by mining. The PMCJ argues that the decision sets a bad precedent for local governments to uphold the health, security, and interests of their constituents, which can be easily overridden by mining companies. The mining ban was first challenged by Agusan Petroleum and Mineral Corporation, a company with a Financial or Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) under the Mining Act.

Key Takeaways:

• The Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ) has called on the Supreme Court to let local governments ban mining and other environmentally destructive activities, citing the need to protect the environment and the rights of climate-vulnerable communities.
• The SC's decision to nullify the 25-year moratorium on mining enacted by the provincial government of Occidental Mindoro and the municipality of Abra De Ilog reverses gains made by climate-vulnerable communities.
• The PMCJ argues that the decision sets a bad precedent that local governments' autonomy and mandate to protect the health, security, and interests of their constituents can be easily set aside when mining companies' interests are threatened.
• The mining ban was first challenged by Agusan Petroleum and Mineral Corporation, a company with a Financial or Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) under the Mining Act.
• The SC ruling cites Republic Act 7942, or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, which centralizes the authority to control mineral resources and regulate mining operations, as the basis for overturning the mining ban.
• The Philippines' Supreme Court has established a precedent that local government policies threatening national mining laws can be overturned, citing the Mining Act of 1995.

Statistics:

• The Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ) has been actively advocating for climate justice in the country for an unspecified period.
• The 25-year moratorium on mining enacted by the provincial government of Occidental Mindoro and the municipality of Abra De Ilog was in place until its nullification by the Supreme Court.
• The Supreme Court cited the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, or Republic Act 7942, as the basis for overturning the mining ban.
• Agusan Petroleum and Mineral Corporation, the company that challenged the mining ban, operates under a Financial or Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) under the Mining Act.

Sources:

• Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ)
• Supreme Court of the Philippines
• Republic Act 7942, or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995