13 Minahang Bayan sites approved in Cordillera
>> Sunday, March 6, 2022
BAGUIO CITY -- Thirteen Minahang Bayan sites in
Cordillera Administrative Region were allowed to operate by their respective
Provincial Mining Regulatory Boards (PMRB) to legitimize operation of
small-scale mining temporarily banned by the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources two years ago.
Engineer Fay Apil, regional director of the Cordillera office of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, said that there are four MB sites each in Apayao and Benguet and one each in Abra, Mountain Province and Kalinga.
Apil said the number of the approved MB sites could increase in the coming months as there are two areas in Apayao that had been cleared by the office of Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu and awaiting declaration as MB areas by the PMRB.
According to the MGB-CAR, only the MB site in Itogon is currently operational as most of approved Minahang Bayan sites are still securing free and prior informed consent from indigenous cultural communities and indigenous peoples, who will be affected by mining operations and completion of documentary requirements such as environmental compliance certificate and SSM contract, among others.
Apil said there are more than 70 applications filed by pocket mining (PM) companies for declaration and approval of potential MB sites covering different provinces in the region.
Earlier, SSM associations that applied for the declaration and approval of MB sites in Cordillera called on the DENR to reduce processes in the approval of MB sites to allow the industry to recover from negative impact of the temporary stoppage order that has not been lifted despite repeated appeals from local governments and PM groups.
Apil said she hoped SSM associations with approved MB sites will be able to process documentary requirements supporting their SSM contracts to start their operations that will contribute in the eventual revival of the PM industry.
She called on SSM associations with approved applications for MB sites to hasten processing of documents for them to start operating and earn from their mining activities as the same will provide them with sustainable sources of income and help government generate resources to enhance delivery of basic services and development projects in their localities.
Apil said there are still many SSM groups interested to apply for declaration of MB sites, but their proposed sites are located within forest reservations, watersheds, timberlands and patented mining claims.
Engineer Fay Apil, regional director of the Cordillera office of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, said that there are four MB sites each in Apayao and Benguet and one each in Abra, Mountain Province and Kalinga.
Apil said the number of the approved MB sites could increase in the coming months as there are two areas in Apayao that had been cleared by the office of Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu and awaiting declaration as MB areas by the PMRB.
According to the MGB-CAR, only the MB site in Itogon is currently operational as most of approved Minahang Bayan sites are still securing free and prior informed consent from indigenous cultural communities and indigenous peoples, who will be affected by mining operations and completion of documentary requirements such as environmental compliance certificate and SSM contract, among others.
Apil said there are more than 70 applications filed by pocket mining (PM) companies for declaration and approval of potential MB sites covering different provinces in the region.
Earlier, SSM associations that applied for the declaration and approval of MB sites in Cordillera called on the DENR to reduce processes in the approval of MB sites to allow the industry to recover from negative impact of the temporary stoppage order that has not been lifted despite repeated appeals from local governments and PM groups.
Apil said she hoped SSM associations with approved MB sites will be able to process documentary requirements supporting their SSM contracts to start their operations that will contribute in the eventual revival of the PM industry.
She called on SSM associations with approved applications for MB sites to hasten processing of documents for them to start operating and earn from their mining activities as the same will provide them with sustainable sources of income and help government generate resources to enhance delivery of basic services and development projects in their localities.
Apil said there are still many SSM groups interested to apply for declaration of MB sites, but their proposed sites are located within forest reservations, watersheds, timberlands and patented mining claims.
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