The affirmative believes that a moratorium is practicable for the following reasons:

1. There would be significant financial impact to the economy if mining operations are
suspended since we are reliant on the mining industry.
2. It is practical to have a moratorium to rehabilitate our communities

First Argument: On a macro-economic scale, the country is not heavily reliant on the mining
industry, there would be no significant financial impact to the economy as a whole.

In 2017, the mining industry only contributed 6% of 69 Billion total exports of the country. In
terms of taxes, it only contributed 1.43% out of the P1.78 Trillion collected. In 2018, its
contribution to the Gross Domestic Production (GDP) did not even exceed 1% of the P9 Trillion
total. In fact, the mining industry is the lowest contributor to the country’s GDP and GNP. And
as of July 2018, it only employs only 5% of the labor force. [related to stats; this is okay already;
for review]

Thus, a temporary moratorium on the mining industry will not cripple our country’s economy as
we are not dependent on income from mining.

By developing and supporting other industries, such as agriculture and eco-tourism, we will be
able to offset any loss of national income due to the temporary stoppage of all mining
operations. While at the same time promoting environmental consciousness.

Second Argument: For an industry with so little contribution to the economy and so far-reaching
impact on the environment, the benefits do not outweigh the costs. The harm and destruction
caused by mining on the environment, people and the economy are not worth the supposed
benefits.

We can look at Paracale which has long been a mining district, but until now, it is still a third
class municipality instead of becoming a first class town. The presence of mining in localities
does not equate to an economic boom. In Tampacan, rather than benefiting the community, it
destroyed 6,935 hectares of rainforests and agricultural lands. [related to the Other
Communities argument. No data yet as to Stats that affect the community; I don’t know if this is
needed]

Second Argument: It is practical to have a moratorium so that we can rehabilitate our

communities and audit irresponsible mining.

In Tampacan, mining operations destroyed 6,935 hectares of rainforests and agricultural lands.
Paracale, which has long been a mining district, until now is still a third class municipality
instead of becoming a first class town. Precisely, the presence of mining in localities does not
equate to an economic boom. Numerous landslides in Semirara have also caused the death of a
lot of people.

Our current mining practices needs an overhaul in order for us to achieve sustainable
development. Currently, we are damaging our environment further by contaminating our
watersheds and bulldozing our rainforests and agricultural lands.

Third Argument:

[insert conclusion/closing statements]

“A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air
and giving fresh strength to our people.”
—Franklin D. Roosevelt

Good afternoon, counsel.

Q: Counsel, are you aware that in 2018 the mining industry was the lowest contributor to the
country’s GDP and GNP?

Q: Considering its low contribution to our GDP, do you agree that there are other industries
which benefit us more without the destructive force that mining brings?

Pag no: Are you sure? Our service industry contributed 57.70% to our GDP compared to mining
which gave us only .95%

Q: Counsel are you aware of the human rights violations and environmental destruction that
mining brings?

Q: Is it not that our country’s policy is to promote and attain sustainable development, counsel?

Q: Thus, given that mining contaminates our watersheds and bulldozes our lands, is it not that
we are going against our policy of sustainable development?

Q: Therefore, issuing a moratorium to audit mining companies and rehabilitate the

communities is practical considering that we are slowly killing mother nature for an industry
that does not even contribute 1% of our GDP?