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Mr Duterte plans to increase taxes on mining¡ªThe 19th China(Guangzhou)Int¡¯l Heat Treatment, Industrial Furnace Exhibition
7/25/2017 heat treatment expo-furnace expo |
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Bworld Online reported that during a speech at a conference in Davao City, Mr Duterte cited the negative impacts of irresponsible mining on the country¡¯s agriculture and fisheries sectors, adding that his plan for higher mining taxes are intended to make up for their environmental effects.
Mr Duterte in his speech said that ¡°What am I supposed to do? Just leave it that way because the mining industry pays the government like 70 billion [pesos] per year? My tax [from mining] is only at 5%?.¡±
He added that ¡°The taxes are low. Why don¡¯t you compensate the people that are deprived now of the things that they need and not there because of mining? Fair is fair, but refused to elaborate on the details about the proposed tax hike for mining.¡±
Mr Duterte urged mining firms to ¡°come up with an agreement where it is fair for everybody.¡±
At the same time, the president clarified that he is unable to put an end to mining because there is a law that regulates the industry. He simply wants to promote the practice of responsible mining and said that ¡°Good mining means no people are really in pain. Good mining equals there is not agony.¡±
In his same speech, Mr Duterte also mentioned former Environment Secretary Regina Paz Lopez, who has been replaced replaced by Secretary Roy A Cimatu.
He said that ¡°I¡¯ve always supported Gina because she was really an environmentalist. It just went slightly went out of hand.¡±
Mr Duterte said that they will come up with a new legislation. He said that ¡°But you know, I¡¯d like to tell you frankly. We would come up with a new legislation, because Bebot Alvarez, the Speaker, hates mining. And he comes from a mining town.¡±
He added that ¡°We have to go into not even a compromise -- we have to rearrange everything here. I will call all the mining people and Gina Lopez and company, and the militants on the other side. But only those who behave in Malacañang.¡±
However, the President asked to be given more time to address the concerns against irresponsible mining and their negative environmental impacts.
Mr Duterte asked that ¡°Give us time, it¡¯s not easy to adjust. Just one year. I have five years. Give me the years that are allotted to me by the [1987 Philippine] Constitution.¡±
¡ªThe
19th China(Guangzhou)Int¡¯l Heat Treatment, Industrial Furnace Exhibition
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