Offshore Mining, Reclamation, and Seabed Quarrying: A Closer Look

Applications for reclamation projects, offshore mining, and seabed quarrying are currently flooding government regulatory bodies following the signing of Executive Order (EO) 130 by then President Duterte last April 14, 2021. It lifted a 9-year ban on new mining agreements supposedly to bring significant economic benefits to the country; however, it also opened the floodgates for new mining projects that could bring serious harm to the environment and, ultimately, the economy.

While such projects go through regulatory processes, as required by various Philippine laws, rules, and regulations, can the existing laws of our land be strictly implemented to ensure mitigation of the massive disturbances to our marine resources and ecosystem functions that offshore mining, reclamation, and seabed quarrying will bring?