BAGUIO CITY (PIA)--The Mines and Geosciences Bureau - Cordillera Administrative Region (MGB-CAR) is encouraging small scale miners (SSMs) in the region to legitimize their operations by applying for a permit or contract.
MGB-CAR received reports that some SSMs resumed their operations despite the prevailing stoppage order issued in 2018. The reason of SSMs in resuming pocket mining is to survive the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu ordered in 2018 the suspension of all small-scale mining operations following a massive landslide that killed dozens in a mining site in Itogon, Benguet.
Engr. Alfredo Genetiano, chief of the Mine Management Division of MGB-CAR, said the order has not been lifted.
"'Yung order po ni Sec. Roy Cimatu since 2018, 'yung stoppage ng small scale mining all throughout the Cordillera Administrative Region dahil wala silang corresponding permit still holds through, still in effect until now. In effect pa rin sa mga areas na walang corresponding small scale mining contract," he said.
DENR officials led by Regional Executive Ralph Pablo discusses their office accomplishments and concerns during a Kapihan Press Conference on Tuesday, 15 February 2022 in Baguio City.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, concerned local government units submitted resolutions requesting for a temporary SSM permit to work because miners are affected.
Genetiano said the national offices tasked the MGB-CAR instead to help the miners to fast track their application for Minahang Bayan.
"Human as we are, we also understand their plight. Maski naman wala 'yung 2018 order, ang regulation, noon pa naman namin ini-encourage sila for them to legitimize their operation. 'Andito naman po tayo, handang tumulong" he said.
Genetiano admitted that there are a lot of requirements in the processing of Minahang Bayan which is very tedious and costly for the applicants, that is why the MGB is continuing in streamlining the procedures and requirements to hasten the approval of the applications. He said that they are expecting the issuance of Implementing Rules and Regulations to address the present issues.
Out of 51 Minahang Bayan applications in the region last year, it was reduced to 42, most of which were already reviewed by DENR Central Office.
There are now 11 existing Minahang Bayan declared in CAR since 2019, four each in Apayao and Benguet, and one ach in Abra and Mountain Province. The latest declared Minahang Bayan this 2022 is in Kalinga. (JDP/DEG-PIA CAR)
