The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expresses its support on the continued suspension of mining, quarrying, and other types of extractive operations in the province of Bulacan. This move upholds the right to a healthy environment and helps ensure the safety of affected communities especially in light of the aftermath of Super Typhoon Karding in the said province.

Governor Daniel Fernando issued the ban on 16 August 2022 in response to the discovery of illegal mining and quarrying activities in Bulacan. During the onslaught of Super Typhoon Karding on 26 September 2022, five rescuers died due to flash floods. This devastating incident underscores the tragic consequence of environmental abuse notwithstanding the damages it can bring to the livelihood, shelter, and general well-being of affected families and communities.

Protecting the environment, which supports the enjoyment of many basic rights, also ensures the welfare and dignity of the community that inhabits it. On the contrary, the degradation of our environment leads to many issues, including loss of human lives, conflict over resources, food insecurity, public health crises, among others.

The Commission cites the resolve of the provincial government of Bulacan led by Gov. Fernando and the Bulacan Environment and Natural Resources Office (BENRO) to tackle illegal mining and quarrying in their province. This demonstrates that they give due primacy to the safety and welfare of the people and the long-term state of the environment.

Considering the serious implications of mining to the environment compounded by the regular onslaught of typhoons in our country, we reiterate our reminder to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the interagency body cited in the Executive Order No. 79, s. 2012, to implement and operationalize the mining policies. This includes the mandate to: 1) provide mechanisms and clear guidelines to monitor human rights and labour rights violations; 2) develop operational linkages with concerned government agencies, particularly CHR and Department of Labor and Employment, inter alia; 3) assist victims of violations of mining policies; and 4) take appropriate action against violators.

It is our hope that the national government and local government units will follow suit in taking firm actions to defend the environment and ensure the long term welfare of the people instead of merely seeing the economic gains from the mining industry. In accordance with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, we also underscore that mining companies have the obligation to do their part in protecting the environment and to remedy violations stemming from their operations that consequently transgress human rights.

For our part, CHR shall continue to be firm in monitoring and calling for the faithful implementation of relevant laws on environmental protection to assert the urgency of ensuring a safe and healthy environment essential to the realisation of human rights in communities.