Duterte: I agree with Lopez on ‘mine-free’ Philippines
Posted at Apr 19 2017 09:03 PM
http://news.abs-cbn.com/
MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday again expressed support for Environment Secretary Gina Lopez.
Duterte, however, has not changed his mind about Lopez. He said, he was initially hesitant about this proposal, considering that the Philippines earns billions from the mining operations annually.
“Gina told me frankly that the Philippines has to be mine-free,” Duterte said in a speech at an event in Pasay City.
“But I agree with Gina.”
Duterte issued this statement just as Lopez butted heads with another official close to the president.
Lopez today criticized Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea for suspending her order that mining firms pay 2 million pesos per hectare of disturbed land before they can be allowed to ship their nickel ore stockpiles.
Medialdea meanwhile said the Office of the President has not yet taken any legal position on the validity of Lopez’s order. – with Reuters
