By Josine Estuye
MANILA, (PNA) -– Vice President Jejomar Binay on Tuesday called on government officials and businessmen to revitalize the mining industry.
During his keynote address at the 39th Philippine Business Conference, the vice president said the government must look into the mining sector, as he imparted that he thinks the industry could boost the economy of the country.
“The sector by itself contributes about millions of pesos to our country,” he said.
He also stressed that mining can also be accepted, with the mining companies’ strict compliance to laws.
Binay said miners just need to prove that they observe responsible, environmental and sustainable mining.
“Sa environment, meron ng mga bagong technologies, meron ng mga bagong pamamaraan, na ang paninira sa environment ay naiiwasan,” he said.
According to the latest Philippines Mining Report, the country’s mining industry is poised boom over the coming years, especially given the recent lifting of the ban on new mining applications.
The report said the country’s mining industry expects value to reach US $ 7.5bn by 2017, growing at an annual average rate of 13.1 percent from 2012 levels.