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DENR ready to help BARMM in Tawi-Tawi mining site rehab

Philippines | National

DENR ready to help BARMM in Tawi-Tawi mining site rehab

By Chito Chavez

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) maintained Saturday its willingness “to extend its expertise to help in the rehabilitation of a mined-out site on Tumbagaan Island in Tawi-Tawi, a province situated in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).’’

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (MANILA BULLETIN)

DENR Undersecretary for Enforcement, Mining and Muslim Affairs Jim O. Sampulna said that this will happen even if the province of Tawi-Tawi is not under the agency’s jurisdiction.

The environment-related concerns of Tawi-Tawi is supervised by the BARMM's Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy (MENRE).

Sampulna said DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu has specifically directed him to prepare in case the BARMM government asks for assistance.

"If they will seek technical assistance, we are willing to extend expertise, not just in mining but in all other aspects that BARMM needs such as in lands, forestry, biodiversity, and environment," Sampulna said.

Sampulna also clarified that the DENR does not have the authority to conduct mining-related operations in Tawi-Tawi following public calls for the DENR to act on President Duterte's order to immediately stop the mining activities in Tumbagaan Island.

However, Sampulna said the DENR fully supports the order of the President to suspend the mining operations in the said area for its rehabilitation," he added.

"BARMM is now conducting an investigation on the site to fast track the rehabilitation,” he added.

Sampulna noted that the nickel mining company has the primary responsibility to restore the area.

"BARMM now has the MENRE, which is responsible for environmental initiatives in the Muslim autonomous region,” Sampulna explained.

Sampulna said that the MENRE was previously called DENR-ARMM which has its own secretary with the office previously under the now defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

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