Southeast Asia Philippine archipelago

The subject area: Palawan BR, Philippines

Fisheries and other marine products

Major Industries:

Livestock Development

Major Industries:

Agriculture and Livestock

Mineral Development

Major Industries:

Ecotourism

Major Industries:

Endemic plants and animals Biodiversity areas

Palawan Talking Mynah Philippine Cockatoo

Palawan Bearcat Philippine Dendrobium

The Puerto Princesa Underground River

Two UNESCO Natural World Heritage Sites: The Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park

Mineral resource area ( Mainland) Area (hectares)

Prospective for base metal, precious, and ferro-alloy 60,710

Prospective for nickel-chromite 67,850

Most highly prospective for nickel-chromite

mineralization

159,300

Total 287,860

Projected area for mine development 80,000

Mining prospects in Palawan

Current Mining/Processing Plant Operations in Palawan Province OPERATING

COMPANY

MINERAL/

COMMODITY

SCALE OF PRODUCTION

(production/year)

AREA

(hectares)

ZONE

Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corporation Nickel 475,000 metric tons/per year (wet) 990 has. ( ) Core zone

( x ) Buffer zone

( x )Transition zone

Berong Nickel Corporation Nickel 300,000 metric tons/year 288 has. ( ) Core zone

( x ) Buffer zone

( )Transition zone

Citinickel Mines and Development

Corporation

Nickel 1.2 Million metric tons/year 1,604 has. ( ) Core zone

( x ) Buffer zone

( x )Transition zone

MacroAsia Mining Corporation Nickel 2.0 Million metric tons/year 971 has. ( ) Core zone

( x ) Buffer zone

( x )Transition zone

Ipilan Mining Corporation Nickel 2.0 Million metric tons/year 1,947 has. ( ) Core zone

( x ) Buffer zone

( x )Transition zone

Coral Bay Nickel Corporation Processing Plant 24000 MT as NI/year 24 has

REPUBLIC ACT 7611 or the SEP Law: Providing the Development Framework of Palawan Province

Ridge-to-Reef management framework

of ECAN zones

Terrestrial Core Zone

Multiple Use Zone

Restricted Use Area

Controlled Use Area

Traditional Use Area

Coastal Core Zone

Transition/Buffer Area

Sustainable/General Use Area

Buffer Zone

Multiple use Zone

Parameters & criteria in delineating terrestrial ECAN ECAN zone Description Elevation Land cover Slope Habitat Others Core zone Area of maximum

protection > 1,000 m Virgin forest or

primary growth

forest

> 50 % (> 26.57 degrees)

Critically

threatened/endangered

habitats and habitats of rare

endangered species or

habitat of local endemic

species of flora and fauna

Other areas which

may be identified

and designated by

the Council

Buffer zone -

Restricted use Generally surrounds

the Core zone and

provides a protective

barrier; Critical watersheds

which were identified,

classified or declared

as such by the

government

500 to 1,000

m Poor, stunted and

sparse stands of

semi-deciduous

forest which has a

low regeneration

capacity

36-50 % (19.80-26.57 degrees)

Areas designated as

biodiversity hotspots and

highly threatened by human

activities based on scientific

studies

In areas where the

criteria of elevation,

slope, or critical

watershed do not

apply, a 200-meter

belt in the mainland

and 100-meter belt

in the islands

surrounding the

Core zone Buffer zone -

Controlled use Encircles and

provides the outer

barrier to the Core

zone and Restricted

use zone

300 to 500 m

19-35 % (10.20-19.80 degrees)

Areas within the

criteria of the

Restricted use zone

where there is a

community Buffer zone -

Traditional use Edges of intact

forests where

traditional land use is

already stabilized is

being stabilized

Open, brushland or

grassland areas

that are still

classified as

timberland or public

land with elevation

below 300 meters

> 18% slope (> 10.20 degrees)

AND below 300

meters elevation

All other areas with

elevation below 300

meters

Multiple use

zone Areas where the

landscape has been

modified for different

forms of land use

such as intensive

timber extraction,

grazing and pastures,

agriculture and

infrastructures

development

Built-up or

settlement areas

located in lowlands

(less than 18%

slope)

< 18% slope (< 10.20 degrees)

AND below 300

meters elevation

Areas classified as

Alienable and

Disposable lands

Core Zone - 423,788 (29.3%)

Restricted Use - 146,370 (10.1%)

Controlled Use - 239,437 (16.6%)

Traditional Use - 172,949 (12.0%)

Multiple Use - 463,758 (32.1%)

___________________________

Total Area- 1,446,301 hectares

Source: PCSD ECAN-GIS

SEP-ECAN as Regulatory Tool for Resource Use In Palawan

The SEP Clearance System

Areas CLOSED to mining:

Prime agricultural lands Tourism development areas identified in the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) Other critical areas, island ecosystems

Mining Impacts: loss of vegetation siltation and soil erosion landscape alteration degradation in water quality dust emission habitat degradation effect on cultural values of indigenous peoples

Mining Impacts

View of a Mining Area

National Environmental Laws Relevant to Mining

Law Description Lead agency

Strategic Environmental Plan for Palawan Act (1992)

Providing for the sustainable development framework for Palawan Province

Palawan Council for Sustainable Development

Philippine Mining Act (1995) Instituting a system of mineral resources exploration, development, utilization, and conservation

Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Department of Environmental and Natural Resources

Environmental Impact Statement System (1978)

Establishing an Environmental Impact Statement System and other environmental management related measures

Department of Environmental and Natural Resources

Local Government Code (1991)

Providing for a more responsive and accountable local government structure

Department of Interior and Local Government

National Integrated Protected Areas System (1992)

Providing for the establishment and management of protected areas

Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau, Department of Environmental and Natural Resources

Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (1997)

Providing for the recognition, protection, and promotion of the rights of indigenous cultural communities

National Commission on Indigenous Peoples

Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (1997)

Prescribing urgent related measures to modernize the agriculture and fisheries sectors of the country

Department of Agriculture

The Philippine Fisheries Code (1998)

Providing for the development, management, and conservation of the fisheries and aquatic resources

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Department of Agriculture

Climate Change Act (2009) Mainstreaming climate change into government policy formulations

Climate Change Commission

Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act (2010)

Strengthening the Philippine disaster risk reduction and management system

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council

National Environmental Laws Relevant to Mining

Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (1997)

Providing for the recognition, protection, and promotion of the rights of indigenous cultural communities

National Commission on Indigenous Peoples

Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (1997)

Prescribing urgent related measures to modernize the agriculture and fisheries sectors of the country

Department of Agriculture

The Philippine Fisheries Code (1998)

Providing for the development, management, and conservation of the fisheries and aquatic resources

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Department of Agriculture

Climate Change Act (2009) Mainstreaming climate change into government policy formulations

Climate Change Commission

Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act (2010)

Strengthening the Philippine disaster risk reduction and management system

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council

Law Description Lead Agency

Multi- stakeholder cooperation

Mining Good Practices: Corporate Social Responsibility

Environmental Enhancement Activities

Social Development and Management Program

Housing project for IPs

Social Development and Management Program

Research and Other Good Practices

Tailings Rehabilitation Project of Coral Bay Nickel Corporation

Oct. 2012 Aerial Photograph - After 2 years of rehabilitation work

April 2010 Satellite Image - Before rehabilitation works

Newly Planted Grasses & Herbs – June 2011 Condition after 16 months – Sep 2012

Fiscal Contributions Derived from Mining

Sharing of Mining Taxes and Royalties

Areas for Improvement:

Need to revisit laws where tax holidays and other preferential incentives are granted to mining companies; Proceeds from mining taxes be utilized for community investments to ensure a self reliant and sustainable communities that will survive even after the phasing-out of the mining ventures ; and

Institutionalization of cost-benefit analysis as an input to decision making.

The splendor of Palawan BR, a legacy to the future generations!

THANK YOU.

Kiddie Wildlife Saver’s Club