Published April 13, 2021, 5:00 PM The Philippine government has allowed the mining companies that were suspended and ordered closed by former Environment Secretary and late Regina Paz Lopez in 2017 to continue operating. Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Director Wilfredo Moncano said on Tuesday that the government has decided to issue a “Stay Order” on these mining companies amid the pending decision from the Office of the President (OP) to officially lift the suspension and cancellation orders imposed on them by Lopez. “Those that filed an appeal were able to secure the Stay Order and were continuing with their operations. But it still needs an order from OP lifting the suspension or reversing the cancellation so that these mines will resume operation without unresolved issues,” Moncano told Business Bulletin.