Modern communications technology and the popularity of social media among Filipinos have been forcing large-scale mining companies to behave, a top official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said amid questions on whether or not responsible could exist in the country.

“It’s different now in terms of monitoring and compliance,” said DENR Secretary Juan Miguel T. Cuna during the Kapihan sa Manila Hotel forum on Wednesday, July 15, when asked to comment on statements of anti-mining group that responsible mining does not exist. 

Unlike before that mining companies could hide any violations of mining rules and regulations, he said the use of modern technology is what makes it difficult to replicate the old practice.

For instance, mining accidents and effects of mining in the environment could be easily be hidden from public scrutiny, especially if those happen in far-flung areas where mining usually operates.

But now, Cuna said even water system discoloration can easily be monitored and be relayed to the public through smart phones and social media platforms.

“There a lot of new technology like drones and social media that regularly monitors. Unlike before that the public was not aware of how mining is done, even water discoloration can be easily documented and published,” said Cuna in the forum hosted by former senator and Manila Hotel President Joey Lina and Manila Bulletin Publisher and former Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma.

And besides, almost all large-scale companies engage in mining are owned by Filipinos—which means that they have nowhere to go when things go awry, according to Cuna.

“Some of these mining companies are public declared in stock exchange so they would be at the losing end if for instance the EMB (Environmental Management Bureau) or MGB (Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) would issue a notice of violation,” said Cuna,

What the DENR is really concerned of, according to Cuna, is the small-scale miners.

He said residents and other small-scale miners, particularly in areas such as Camarines Norte and the Caraga region, usually operate without proper knowledge of operation and as a result, compromise not only their safety but also of the environmental protection.

While attempts were made before to reach out to small-scale miners, Cuna said complying with the requirements is what usually discourage small miners to get permit. This result in small scale miners opting to conduct illegal operations.

In order to address the issue, Cuna said they have started to set up one-stop shop where small miners could get permits.

He said DENR has been working with the Department of Labor and Employment and the Central Bank in encouraging small-scale miners to sell gold through legal channels by assuring proper payment and protection from prosecution.