‘? RECEIVED
Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No._1454

Introduced by Rep. Luisa Lloren Cuaresma
Lone District of Nueva Vizcaya

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Mining is an inherently destructive industry. In every place where there is mining,
especially large-scale mining projects, there is massive deforestation, contamination of water

sources, depletion of agricultural areas, human rights violations, and abuse of cultural

minorities.

Mining has long been a source of conflict and suffering in rural communities. Families
and communities are torn apart because people are forced to decide whether they are for mining
or not. Those who refuse to side with the miners lose their jobs, their houses, and ultimately
their peaceful communities. Those who side with miners may gain financially for a short period
of time, but in the end, they participate in the massive destruction of their lands.

The province of Nueva Vizcaya has been a witness to this vicious cycle that starts with
of promises of prosperity and development which later turn out to be the one thing that
destroyed the peace and harmony of its people. Right now, two large-scale mining companies
are operating in Nueva Vizcaya and it has practically occupied two municipalities with the
scale of its operations. Since the 1970’s, mining has been a source of conflict and suffering in

our province. We cannot allow more of the same

To permanently put a stop to this ugly and destabilizing industry in our peaceful
province, the ultimate solution would be to stop, once and for all, the entry of any mining
project in Nueva Vizcaya.

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As I have stated during my privilege speech in August of 2016: “Today, I remain as
firm as ever, because lost dignity and destruction should not be the price of development.
Because pain and suffering cannot bring us true progress and prosperity.Because we have a
duty and a responsibility to safeguard the future of every generation of Filipinos yet to come.
Because destructive, illegal, and irresponsible mining simply must stop, and it must stop now.”

With this, support for this measure is earnestly sought.

ben A oa CUARESMA t


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. _1454

Introduced by Representative Luisa Lloren Cuaresma
Lone District of Nueva Vizcaya

AN ACT DECLARING THE PROVINCE OF NUEVA VIZCAYA A MI
ZONE AND PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR.

ING FREE

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

Section 1. ~ Declaration of Nueva Vizcaya as a Mining Free Zone ~ The province of
Nueva Vizcaya is hereby declared a Mining Free Zone. All forms of mining activity within its
jurisdiction are hereby prohibited.

For this purpose, mining shall refer to the extraction of valuable minerals or other
geological materials, excluding gravel and sand marble, inclusive of activities involving large-
scale or small-scale exploration, feasibility, development, utilization, and processing.

Section 2. Penal Provisions. — Any person, natural or juridical, or any public officer,
who violates the provisions of this act by conducting or authorizing any mining activity in the
province of Nueva Vizcaya shall be penalized with imprisonment of not less than six (6) years
nor more than twelve (12) years imprisonment and shall also be imposed a fine of not less than
‘one million pesos (P1,000,000.00) nor more than ten million pesos (P10,000,000.00).

Any public officer who violates this act, shall also be dismissed from service and
perpetually disqualified from holding public office.

If the violator is a juridical entity, the highest ranking official and its Board of
Directors/Trustees shall suffer the penalty imposed in this act for its violation.


SEC. 3. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order,
letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with
any provision of this Act is hereby amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 4. Effectivity Clause.- This Act shall take fifteen (15) days following its
publication in the official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,