The Philippines' Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu said on July 31 he would not lift a ban on open-pit mining imposed in April in an anti-pollution crackdown.
The Philippines' Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu says he would not lift a ban on open-pit mining imposed in April in an anti-pollution crackdown. (Illustrative photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - The Philippines' Environment andNatural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu said on July 31 he would not lift a banon open-pit mining imposed in April in an anti-pollution crackdown.
Speaking with reporters, Cimatu said the ban on open-pitmining issued by former secretary Lopez will be continued, adding that he is inno rush to make a decision on whether to maintain, modify or reserve hispredecessor’s decisions.
He said he will review all evidence submitted bycompanies and affirmed that he does not want to put pressure on the people.
Cimatu, a former general, was appointed by PresidentRodrigo Duterte in May after former-appointee Regina Lopez, failed to securecongressional confirmation after a drive to implement environment protectionmeasures that raised mining industry hackles.
Earlier, Lopez led a 10-month campaign to control themining industry, ordering the closure or suspension of 26 nickel ore mines andimposing a ban on open-pit mining.
Nickel ore output in the Philippines fell 51 percentin the first quarter due to rains and the suspension of mine operations.
Following the secretary’s remarks, the Philippines'mining and oil sub-index dropped 0.11 percent.
🦄 Last week, President Rodrigo Duterte also stated thathe wanted to stop exporting unprocessed mineral resources and warned miners inthe country he would impose more taxes on the industry to raise money to helpcommunities hurt by their operations.-VNA
Eighty-two percent of 1,200 respondents across the Philippines has approved of President Rodrigo Duterte’s one-year performance, according to a Pulse Asia survey released on July 17.
The Philippines has pulled out of hosting the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, as its Government decided to use the sport funding for re-building conflict-hit areas in Marawi.
Mayor of the Philippines’ Ozamiz city on Mindanao island Reynaldo Parojinog, who was accused of being linked with the illegal drug trade, was shot dead in a police raid on July 30, Philippines authorities announced.
The article stressed that throughout his revolutionary career, the founder of modern Vietnam consistently regarded the revolutionary press as a vital part of the Vietnamese Party’s and nation’s revolutionary struggle.
Pichai said the trade talks with the US are important and need to move forward professionally, without regard for any political changes in Thailand, believing that Thailand has clear principles, guidelines and procedures in place.
The tax adjustment supports the Malaysian Government’s strategy to reduce reliance on foreign food supply chains and to assist domestic farmers, a finance official has said.
The proposed venue is located in the Chatuchak area of Bangkok, featuring eight public sites, including Krungthep Aphiwat Central Terminal and several nearby parks.
Connectivity is expected to improve further with the completion of the fifth Laos–Thailand Friendship Bridge by the end of 2025, facilitating logistics and agricultural exports to Vietnam, Thailand, and China.
Two naval gunboats intercepted a fishing vessel carrying 1.5 tonnes of methamphetamine hydrochloride off the coast of the main island of Luzon just before dawn, in a joint operation with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
In the today context of socio-economic development and growth, the professionalism of Vietnam’s revolutionary journalists continues to rise, guided by exemplary mastery of new information technologies and the modernisation of their founding principles to preserve the enduring values of revolutionary journalism.
Thai Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Vuttikrai Leewiraphan Thailand's formal proposal will be substantial enough for the US to consider further detailed negotiations. He hoped for a tariff rate not exceeding 10% and suggested that the US might extend the negotiation period if an agreement is not reached by the July 8 deadline.
Organised by the Ministry of Culture and the Association of Thai Silk & Culture Promotions, the event honors Her Majesty the Queen on her 47th birthday anniversary and promotes Thai craftsmanship on an international stage.
Prensa Latina's recent article on Vietnam’s assurance of smooth and effective transition to a leaner structure highlighted Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s latest directions on implementing 28 resolutions regarding the decentralisation and delegation of authority.
The lab focuses on four key thematic areas: energy transition and green innovation, sustainable agriculture, circular economy and sustainable cities, and nature-based solutions and biodiversity.
The key content of the document titled "Accelerating Innovative Strategies: Addressing the OOSCY Challenges" will be refined further in a seminar preceding the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur this October.
This follows Telegram’s serious failure to address the content that has been repeatedly reported to them, despite various efforts of negotiation and cooperation made by MCMC, it said.
Efforts to empower women must transcend dialogue and translate into concrete commitments, including corporate pledges and government partnerships, according to the spouse of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
The forum featured two in-depth discussion sessions, engaging representatives from governments, think tanks, and businesses from both ASEAN and China, on how to forge closer ties for a common future.
The new FIFA Hub in Jakarta will not only support football development in Indonesia but also serve as a coordination centre for 21 football associations across Southeast and East Asia.
Minister Counselor Nguyen Hoang Nguyen reaffirmed Vietnam’s principled and consistent stance on the Palestine issue, calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire across the entire Gaza Strip.
PM Anwar Ibrahim affirmed the determination of Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair for 2025, to utilise all viable regional mechanisms of the bloc and work with partners to de-escalate violence and restore a peace process led by Myanmar.
Talking to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Vietnam’s Revolutionary Press Day (June 21, 1925–2025), Nikulina, who is also a veteran journalist of Russia’s Sputnik News, emphasised the vital role of mainstream journalism in defending the truth and maintaining public trust.
The Philippines' Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu says he would not lift a ban on open-pit mining imposed in April in an anti-pollution crackdown. (Illustrative photo: VNA) 
