Philippines: Mining or Food?

A report that looked at 6 proposed mining sites and examined their potential impact on the ecology and food security of the Philippines was launched on Wednesday February 4, 2009 at Balay Kalinaw, University of the Philippines Diliman campus.

The report, called Philippines: Mining or Food? recommends a moratorium on any new mining developments and a review of existing mining projects by a credible independent body. The authors believe that this moratorium and review are necessary to restore the government’s credibility by implementing structural reforms especially of the DENR. They believe the moratorium and subsequent reforms are necessary for the protection of the environment; upholding of human rights, particularly the right to food, and for guaranteeing the food security of the Philippines.