It was the first time President Duterte madethe announcement on reviewing the decisions of Environment and NaturalResources Secretary Regina Lopez to shut mines and cancel miningcontracts.
Previously, on February 2, Secretary Lopezasked to close 23 out 41 nickel mines in the Philippines since nearby riveshave been contaminated by the mines’ operation.
The decision was seen to affect about 1.2 million people and opposed by mineowners and workers, who said they will take legal action to overturn theSecretary’s order.-VNA
