By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Local environmentalist group Defend Patrimony-Southern Negros (DP-SN) announced their full support to retain Gina Lopez as Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) secretary, as well as joining the call for the repeal of RA 7942, or the Mining Act of 1995.
In a media conference at the Negros Press Club yesterday morning, DP-SN spokesperson, Reverend Father Alvin Gene Lacson, called Lopez’s decision to close and suspend big mining companies “laudable.”
Lacson accused mining companies of destroying and plundering ancestral lands.
“This is the first time a DENR secretary boldly and massively ordered the closure of mines and scrapped mining agreements,” Lacson said. “It is in our deep conviction to support and stand with her.”
Lacson further criticized big mining companies owned by oligarch families who are “salivating” to control areas in Southern Negros that are rich in gold, silver, magnetite, bronze, and copper.
He explained RA 7942 does not serve the best interest of the Filipino people.
“We are calling for Gina Lopez’s confirmation as DENR secretary and call on the DENR to repeal RA 7942 and other policies that uphold the liberalization and deregulation of mining in our country,” Lacson added.
The hearing for Lopez’s confirmation as DENR secretary was recently rescheduled by the Commission on Appointments due to a reorganization in the Senate./WDJ