Presidential aspirant and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said he would allow mining in the country as long as it is sustainable if he wins the presidency.
“Pagtitibayin natin because isa sa mga pinakamagandang asset ng bansa ay ‘yung ating mga minerals (We will strengthen it because one of the best assets of the country is our minerals),” Domagoso said during the 2022 Presidential One-On-One Interviews with Boy Abunda aired on Thursday, Jan. 27.
Domagoso noted that the government must create more jobs, more foreign direct investments, and more sources of income, especially in this time of pandemic.
He also said the government cannot keep on taxing the people.
“We cannot keep on taxing our people para mapatakbo natin ang gobyerno (to run our government). Kailangan natin kumita pero (We need to earn but) we can be responsible in our environment. And I think there’s already rules in this world that are applicable and can be applied to our mining industry,” he added.
“The mining, it has to be an industry... It has to have a rule. Rules and standards of this world can be applied in the mining industry that we’re going to open or we’re going to continue. ‘Yun ang importante (That’s what’s important),” he pointed out.
He then assured that mining companies that will violate the laws will be shut down.
“No matter how big they are, they have to be shut down,” the presidential hopeful said.
Domagoso, meanwhile, also said he is open to accepting donations from mining companies to fund his election campaign as long as they are legal.
“Why not? Kailangan ko lahat ng uri ng tulong (I need all kinds of help).”