Republic of the Uhilippines
House of Representatives A

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1066

HOUSE BILL NO-

Introduced by Rep. Lioren Cuaresma
Lone District of Nueva Vizcaya

AN ACT DECLARING THE PROVINCE OF NUEVA VIZCAYA A MINING FREE ZON)
AND PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR.

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 peacefull province, the
Ultimate solution would be to stop, once and for all, the entry of any mining project in Nueva
Vizcaya.

‘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

LUISA LLOREN CUARESMA.


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives

NINETEENTH CONGRESS.
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1066

Introduced by Representative Luisa Lloren Cuaresma
Lone District of Nueva Vizcaya

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

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

Section I. — 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 emtity, 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,