MANILA, Philippines — Several senatorial candidates on Thursday voiced strong support for regulated small-scale mining, arguing that large-scale mining operations, not community-based miners, pose the bigger threat to the environment.
During a town hall forum on the green agenda at De La Salle University, candidates emphasized the need to protect the livelihoods of small-scale miners while ensuring that mining activities remain safe and environmentally responsible.
Small-Scale Mining Seen as Livelihood, Not Liability
Independent candidate Atty. Angelo De Alban said small-scale mining should not be completely banned, as long as hazardous substances like mercury are not used.
“We should allow individual miners to use the land or sea to make a living,” De Alban said. “They just need to be reminded not to use mercury or damage our rivers.”
Support from Progressive Coalition
Jerome Adonis, labor leader from the Makabayan coalition, echoed De Alban’s stance, saying small-scale miners are often environmental stewards rather than offenders.
“These miners lack the capacity to use destructive tools and sometimes even protect the environment,” he said.
Adonis called for government support and regulation instead of prohibition, suggesting that small-scale mining could be a pillar of national industrialization.
Jocelyn Andamo, a nurse and health advocate also running under Makabayan, warned that banning small-scale mining would result in widespread job loss among poor communities.
“Large-scale mining is what robs our country of resources without giving back,” she said.
Unanimous Call to Ban Large-Scale Mining
When asked if large-scale mining should be banned in biodiversity-rich areas, all senatorial and party-list candidates present — including David D’Angelo, Ernesto Arellano, Roy Cabonegro, and Norman Marquez — answered yes.
Supporting party-lists included:
Health Workers Party-list
Arise Party-list
Bayan Muna
Kabataan
Pamilyang Magsasaka
Magdalo
Government Push for Mining Regulation
In 2022, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. instructed the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to enhance oversight over both small and large-scale mining operations. The goal: update safety standards and ensure mining firms enforce worker safety and environmental protection.
The DENR noted that many small-scale miners operate illegally and without proper safeguards, prompting the agency to initiate efforts to register and organize these miners starting in 2023.