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PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY March 1 - 15 , 2017
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604 501 0963
604 501 0963
11955 88th Avenue , Delta , BC • 604 501 0963 • www . lamezagrill . com • lamezagrill
Ambassador assures Canadian mining companies will comply with Philippine standards
Canadian companies will continue to mine in the Philippines as long as the Philippine government allows them , according to Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines John T . Holmes .
Holmes also said that Canadian miners will abide by standards outlined under the law in the Philippines .
Canada and Australia are two of the biggest mining operators in the country .
Several foreign mines , including that of Holmes ’ s home country , were affected , following the order of Environment Secretary Regina Paz L . Lopez to close 23 mining operations and suspend five others .
“ Yes ( Canadian firms will continue mining in the Philippines ),” Holmes said during an evening reception at his residence in Metro Manila .
He added that Canada will honour any Philippine government decisions on the mining industry .
“ Whatever you decide , that is your sovereign right . If you don ’ t want mining , let us know ,” said the ambassador .
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources ( DENR ) last month ordered the shutdown of 23 of the country ’ s 41 operational metal mines while suspending five miners for various violations .
According to the ambassador , Canadian mining companies which have been issued licenses by the government will continue to operate as these firms practice responsible mining and ” contribute enormously both to the national economy and the local economy .”
“ Whatever standards that you put in place , Canada will comply with them , but what we want is fairness . We want objectivity in the rule of law ,” he said .
“ Companies have invested hundreds of millions of dollars . They want to know what are the terms and they don ’ t want the terms to change mid-way through ,” he added .
“ Yes , and I want to say , and I said this to the President , to the finance minister , I will say this to the secretary of the DENR [ Department o f Environment and Natural Resources ]: ‘ W h a t e v e r
Canadian investors look for business opportunities in the Philippines
Canadian businessmen are actively looking for opportunities in the Philippines , according to Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines John T . Holmes .
The Canadian diplomat said Canadian investors are becoming increasingly interested in investing in the business process outsourcing ( BPO ) sector .
“ The BPOs , I ’ m finding out more Canadian companies are interested in you decide upon , that is your s o v e r e i g n right ,’” the ambassador said .
H e proceeded , “ If you do not want mining , let us know . If you want responsible mining , which is what the President is hoping for , we have here some of the companies with the highest standards in the world , in terms of [ concern for the ] environment and corporate social responsibility .”
“ In fact , two of the Canadian companies have already gotten their licenses , so they will continue . And whatever standards are put in place , Canada will comply
investing here ,” Holmes told Manila journalists at his residence , according to a report by the Business World newspaper .
The ambassador expressed hope that some specialized Canadian businesses can participate in the government ’ s big push to develop the country ’ s infrastructure .
“ The subcontracting in areas of safety , security , engineering , these kinds of things ,” he said , adding that
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with them . But what we want is fairness , objectivity and the rule of law ,” Holmes added .
He said the mining companies have invested “ millions of dollars . They want to know what the terms are ; but they do not want the terms changed midway through ”.
“ I mean , raising environmental standards , that is fine ; but some fundamental things [ may suddenly change in future , when we might be told :] ‘ Oh , we do not want you mining in this area ,’ after we have been given the contract .”
“ I think it says something that two of our biggest mining companies will likely continue [ their operations ], because they are responsible , and they contribute enormously to the economy both at the national and the local level ,” Holmes pointed out .