ILOILO CITY – - Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy A. Cimatu, on August 2 this year, signed DENR Administrative Order (DAO) 2021-25 or the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Executive Order No. 130, according to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB).

EO No. 130, signed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte on April 14, 2021, amended Section 4 of EO No. 79 issued by former President Benigno S.  Aquino III in 2012 and in effect, lifted the nine-year moratorium on new mining projects.

A Technical Working Group from MGB and DENR formulated DAO 2021-25 streamlining procedures and requirements for the processing and approval of new mining applications.

The IRR provides key policy guidelines such as: (1) renegotiation of existing mining contracts and agreements to maximize government revenues and share from production; (2) review and recommendation of appropriate measures to rationalize existing sharing schemes and mechanisms; (3) declaration of areas covered by Mineral Agreements into mineral reservation; and (4) strict implementation of mine safety, environment and social development policies, including compliance of mining contractors/permit holders with the recommended measures of the Mining Industry Coordination Council, based on the result of the completed objective, fact-finding, science-based review of mining operations.

In a press report, MGB said the government recognizes that the mining industry can be a key driver in the country’s post-COVID recovery, by ushering in significant economic benefits through increased direct investments, creation of additional employment opportunities in rural areas, and support to government projects such as the “Build, Build, Build” Program. 

 The full copy of the IRR can be accessed through this link at DENR website: DAO 2021-25. (MGB6Iloilo/laf/PIA6-Iloilo)