The strongman leader of the Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte threatened Monday to revoke the permits of mining companies who will fail to plant and grow trees in areas they are operating in within six months.
In his pre-departure speech in Davao City, Duterte said he wants the mining companies to start their reforestation efforts.
“Itong mining, I’m going to give you six months. I do not want to see any bald (patch). ‘Yung dinaanan n’yo I want trees as tall as me by six months. Kapag wala ‘yung kahoy na iniwan ninyo sa winasak n’yong lupa, then consider your permit revoked,” he said.
Duterte said he is serious in closing down mining companies that will not heed his order.
“Hindi ako nagbibiro. Do not wait for the day of your sorrow. Six months, I don’t want so see any bald piece of land there. Kapag wala akong nakitang kahoy na kasing taas ko, better pack up your things, you can go and that will be closed permanently,” he said.
President Duterte added he is mulling a ban on open pit mining by next year.
“And maybe next year, maybe, I will ban open pit mining. Sleep on it,” he said.