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CDP Position on Responsible Mining Page 1

Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines (CDP) Unit 3, 2nd F MILLE Building, 335-337 Gil Puyat Ave. (formerly Buendia) cor.Dominga St., Pasay City

Landline/Fax: (+632) 799-4924/ 385 2269 Mobile Numbers: 09276567528(Globe) ; 09287498674(Smart)

Website:www.cdp.ph; Email address::centrist.democratic.party@gmail.com

The Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines (CDP):

Supporting responsible mining under strict conditions

Mining plays an important role in many localities in the Philippines. However,

few issues are discussed more controversial than the issue of mining. It is

considered by many experts to be a relevant source of economic development,

income and jobs for many people. But for many others it is an irresponsible

and irreversible exploitation of nature, destruction of natural environment,

expropriation of local workers, prime reason for land grabbing and injustice

done to poor farmers namely also Indigenous Peoples without formal land

titles.

The CDP does not support the position of a total ban of mining in the

Philippines.

CDP supports responsible miningunder strict conditions.

We need to use all the natural and human resources of our country to

overcome poverty and to achieve decent living conditions and welfare for all.

This includes the systematic exploration and use of the rich mineral resources

of our country by local and international investors. However, mining has to bedone in a responsible way. Therefore we request:

(1)The careful examination of the formal land titles and traditionalland use rights of the families living in the area where mining

concessions are applied for. If the exploration of the respective minerals

at a certain area is considered to be in the interest of the whole country

and its citizens by the legitimized state bodies, they have to arrange

taking over the costs and the logistic support for the relocation of the

families living on this land to places in their respective settlement area

without any disadvantages in comparison to their former situation.

(2)The strict legal obligation of the mining companies requestingconcessions to conduct the mining without irreversible damage of

the natural environment at the respective areas. In cases where the

mining concessions are requested for areas with a unique natural

environment or specific biodiversity, the concessions shall only be

granted, if the concessionaires can guarantee that this natural

environment or specific biodiversity will not be damaged or will be

7/29/2019 CDP Stand on Responsible Mining

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CDP Position on Responsible Mining Page 2

Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines (CDP) Unit 3, 2nd F MILLE Building, 335-337 Gil Puyat Ave. (formerly Buendia) cor.Dominga St., Pasay City

Landline/Fax: (+632) 799-4924/ 385 2269 Mobile Numbers: 09276567528(Globe) ; 09287498674(Smart)

Website:www.cdp.ph; Email address::centrist.democratic.party@gmail.com

restored by the mining company through rehabilitation efforts after the

end of the exploration activities.

(3)The strict adherence of the mining companies to all Philippine legalregulations which protect the health, safety and decent payment of

the labourers and the health of the population living around the

mining places. On the background of the rampant corruption which in

many mining places allows mining companies not to follow these legal

regulations, the CDP requests the set up of independent monitoring

bodies with major participation of local and national civil society and

governance watchdog organizations as well as trade unions at each

mining area, in order to make sure that all legal regulations are

religiously followed during the mining process.

(4)A fair participation of the local population at the profits andbenefits of the mining activities. Further to the payment of decent

salaries the mining companies have to share their profits by paying

relevant profit taxes to the Philippine State. And we will introduce

legislation which guarantees that at least half of the revenues from profittax on the mining companies will stay with the local communities at the

mining areas, providing them with the opportunity to improve

infrastructure, health and education facilities and other factors relevant

for the improvement of the living situation of the respective population.

(5)The complete closure and future prevention of illegal andunregulated micro mining activities. Tolerated and even promoted or

organized by local dynasties or rich local business people, illegal and

unregulated micro mining activities benefiting these dynasties or

business people are taking place at many areas in the Philippines,

damaging the rights and lives of the local population and the natural

environment, creating breading places for crime, fighting and insecurity

and being sources for additional calamities during natural disasters. We

have to enforce the stop of these activities

or by closure of the

mining places or by transition into regulated and strictly

monitored mining after provision of the respective concessions.