COMP urges LGUs to comply with SC ruling on mining ban

The Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) has called on local government units (LGUs) to comply with the Supreme Court's decision to overturn a mining ban in Occidental Mindoro.

According to COMP, the SC ruling upholds Republic Act 7942 and the Constitution, establishing that LGU moratoriums against mining violate national laws.

The group emphasized that local bans hinder sustainable development initiatives and undermine national policies designed to attract investments.

COMP acknowledged LGUs' autonomy in approving specific projects but stressed that ordinances must not contradict existing national mining laws.

In a statement on Friday, COMP cheered the High Court ruling, which provides jurisprudence for aligning local actions with national policies and enabling investment in the mining sector.

The chamber specifically urged Palawan, which recently imposed a 50-year moratorium on new mining activities, to reconsider its stance and align with the SC decision.

COMP highlighted the importance of policy consistency for investment predictability and called on all levels of government to ensure alignment with national policies.