Vizcaya miners told: Stop ops, get ‘minahang bayan’ permits or else..

By Leander C. Domingo

QUEZON, Nueva Vizcaya -- The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in Region 2 is urging illegal settlers and small-scale miners (SSMs) in the gold-rich village of Runruno here to look for a viable "Minahang Bayan" area where they can legally continue their livelihood after they have been ordered to stop their illegal operations. 

The MGB Region 2, under the auspices of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), has recently dismantled various illegal mining equipment in Runruno in a series of operations with the National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine National Police and the Philippine Army.

In coordination with London-based mining firm FCF Minerals Corp., the MGB Region 2 cracked down on ball mills, shafting, diesel engines, pulleys, among others used in illegal small-scale mining activities at Runruno.

\Engineer Mario Ancheta, MGB Region 2 director, identified the SSMs operating illegally within the financial or technical assistance agreement (FTAA) contract area of FCF Minerals Corp.

"This is illegal and the best way for these settlers and miners is to look for an area and apply with proper government regulating agencies for their operation of a Minahang Bayan so they can continue with livelihood properly and legally," Ancheta said.

He said the reason why they dismantled mining equipment like improvised ball mills in Runruno village was that these illegal SSMs tend to dig and drill with no proper control on extractive operations.

Citing Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, Ancheta said these unregulated mining activities pose dangers to the environment, and even to human lives, particularly in Runruno village which has been declared as a geohazard area.

Ancheta said the area where the illegal small miners conduct their operation has not yet been utilized or developed by FCF Minerals Corp. but still it cannot be declared as a Minahang Bayan site.

"I have previously proposed to these illegal miners to look for other areas that can be declared as Minahang Bayan since the area in Runruno where they operate is prohibited and yet they continue to extract minerals from the area," he added.

Meanwhile, some groups of SSMs claim they have sighted areas in nearby towns of Dupax del Norte and Alfonso Castañeda in the province and are in the process of completing their documents for submission to the MGB and the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board (PMRB) for possible Minahang Bayan area.

In 2014, the provincial government started conducting various activities in a bid "to regulate small-scale mining in the province."

The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (Penro) said it had participated in the consultation and dialogue among SSMs and local officials of affected local government units.

This time, the Penro said the PMRB could start anew to address the concerns of illegal SSMs in the province who have expressed apprehensions of totally losing their livelihood in the implementation of the MGB's cease and desist orders.

Ancheta explained the absence of documents, permits or authority in the conduct of mining operations and the transport of minerals or mineral products and by-products will be considered as prima facie evidence of illegal mining.

"This shall cause the seizure of the minerals or mineral products and by-products and the tools, conveyances and equipment used in the commission of the offense in favor of the government," Ancheta said.

The MGB Region 2 is preparing charges which will be filed against illegal miners in Runruno for violation of Republic Act (RA) 7942 or the "Philippine Mining Act of 1995" and RA 7076 or the "People's Small-Scale Mining Act of 1991."

"No small-scale mining shall be undertaken outside a Minahang Bayan and no entity shall engage in small-scale mining without a small-scale mining contract," Ancheta said citing RA 7076.

Also, he said they will continue monitoring any activities in the area since a landslide occurred in November 2020 which killed at least 10 individuals and has recommended to the local government here to relocate the illegal settlers left in the area.