Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 270-A)
The main purpose of Executive Order No. 270-A is to amend Executive Order No. 270 to expressly include provisions for the protection of the rights of indigenous peoples and communities in relation to mining activities in the Philippines.
EO No. 270-A amends Executive Order No. 270, entitled 'National Policy Agenda on Revitalizing Mining in the Philippines.'
The government recognizes investments in the minerals industry as critical for national development and poverty alleviation and commits to providing support mechanisms for sustained mineral exploration programs.
The government commits to streamlining procedures of government agencies related to the grant of mining tenements, supporting responsive research and development priorities, and capability building for industry manpower.
EO No. 270-A stipulates that protection of the environment is of paramount consideration during every stage of mining operations, requiring mitigation and progressive rehabilitation measures, and ensuring decommissioning and final mine rehabilitation are backed by appropriate environmental financial surety.
It mandates safeguarding the ecological integrity of affected areas, including biodiversity and small-island ecosystems, to protect public welfare, safety, and environmental quality.
It mandates the protection of the rights of affected communities, particularly indigenous cultural communities, by requiring Free and Prior Informed Consent before mining operations proceed.
FPIC refers to the right of Indigenous Cultural Communities to give or withhold consent to mining projects affecting their ancestral lands, ensuring they are adequately informed and consulted before any project starts.
Section 2, specifically subsections (a), (f), and (g) of Executive Order No. 270, are amended by EO No. 270-A.
They are repealed or modified accordingly to conform with the provisions of EO No. 270-A.