Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.: 8727

As Introduced By Congresswoman LUISA LLOREN CUARESMA
of the Lone District of the Province 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.

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.

bt “et CUARESMA


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 6727

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE LUISA LLOREN CUARESMA

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 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,