The national government will respect the outcome of the public hearing on the proposed lifting of the open-pit mining ban in South Cotabato.
DENR officer-in-charge (OIC) Jim O. Sampulna was reacting to the concerns of the residents during multi-sectoral consultation forum in Koronadal City on Feb. 24 to provide technical information to help the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) members decide on whether or not to lift the ban on open-pit mining of the Tampakan project of the Sagittarius Mines.
"The DENR could contribute to a better appreciation of the advantages and disadvantages of the project, as well as help the SP members reach an informed decision when they cast their respective votes," said Sampulna.
"On the legality of the provincial ordinance, it is well settled that ordinances enacted under the general welfare clause are valid," he added.
In a statement, the DENR said theTampakan project could yield an average of 375,000 tons of copper and 360,000 ounces of gold in concentrate per annum over the proposed 17-year life of the mine.