(Eagle News) – President Rodrigo Duterte warned those destroying the country’s environment, particularly the mining industry that he will go after them with more “restrictive” measures, even as he urged the Senate to pass a National Land Use Act to manage the country’s land resources.
The President said that one of the restrictions that his government will implement is the prohibition of “open pit mining” which has destroyed the environment.
“The protection of the environment must be top priority; resources must be used for the benefit of the Filipino people, not just a select few. Do not just give me taxes, I can get that from other sources. Give me what needs to be given to my countrymen,” he said.
“To the mining industry, I say this once again, and maybe for the last time: Do not destroy the environment or compromise our resources. Repair what you have mismanaged,” the President said.
“This time, you will have restrictive policies. The prohibition of open pit mining is one. It is destroying my country, it is destroying the environment. It will destroy the world of tomorrow,” he said.
He also cited the rivers which had been destroyed by mining, citing what happened in Diwalwal in Davao.
“You can no longer fish in our rivers. The color is not even brown.., it’s black,” he said.
“Enough is enough,” he said.
-Warning to LGUs not enforcing environmental laws –
The President also warned local government executives who are not enforcing laws to protect the environment.
“I urge local government units to proactively enforce our laws, and not wait for us to swoop down on your areas just to do your duty and war,” Duterte said.
He said he is urging the Senate to urgently pass the “National Land Use Act to put in place a national land use policy that will address our competing land requirements for food, housing, business and environmental conservation.”
“We need to do this now, to help safeguard the present and future generation,” Duterte said.
The President also cited the government’s actions on Boracay Island which he said “marked the beginning of a new national effort” to protect the environment.
Duterte also warned those destroying the country’s watershed.
The President said the protection of the environment for the future Filipinos will always be his top priority.
“Expect reforms, radical ones. For as long as I am here. You will just have to contend with me,” he warned.
(Eagle News Service)
