On March 28-31, 2023, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) conducted the second leg of orientation for DENR Luzon Cluster on DENR Administrative Order (DAO) No. 2022-04 re: Enhancing Biodiversity Conservation and Protection in Mining Operations in Zen Hotel, Santiago City.

The said event aims to orient the DENR regional and field offices in Luzon Cluster (Regions CAR, I, II, III, IVA, and MIMAROPA) on the salient features of DAO No. 2022-04. Specifically, the orientation aims to level off, increase appreciation, and understanding of the principles and measures of integrating biodiversity in the mining sector; and provide a venue for sharing experiences and practices relative to mining operations.

A total of 55 participants attended the said orientation from the DENR Luzon Cluster composed of chiefs and representatives from DENR Regional Offices (RO), MGB ROs, Forest Management Bureau (FMB), and Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB).

The participants were welcomed by Regional Executive Director Gwendolyn C. Bambalan, DENR RO No. II; Regional Director Mario A. Ancheta, MGB RO No. II; and Engr. Nonita S. Caguioa, Assistant Secretary for Finance, Information Systems and Mining Concerns. On the other hand, the message of the OIC MGB Director, Atty. Danilo U. Uykieng was delivered by For. Teodorico L. Marquez, Jr., MGB CO.

DAO No. 2022-04 aims to broaden the participants’ view on the current state of the Philippine biodiversity and mining industry and see the nexus of biodiversity and mining to explore how these areas can interface to further recognize the sustainable development and utilization of our country’s natural and mineral resources while minimizing the impacts on biodiversity.

The topics presented during the orientation are the following:

• Overview of Philippine Biodiversity and its Relevant Framework by Ms. Argean S. Guiaya, Senior Ecosystems Management Specialist, Caves and Wetlands, Division (CAWED), BMB;
• Mine Safety and Health, Environmental, and Social Development Management by For. Teodorico L. Marquez, Jr., Chief, Mine Rehabilitation Section, Engr. Alfredo L. Faustino, Senior Science Research Specialist, Mine Safety and Health Section and Mr. Calvin V. Perez, Community Development Officer III, Social Development and Management Section, Mine Safety, Environment, and Social Development Division (MSESDD), MGB CO;
• Salient Provisions of DAO No. 2022-04 by For. Christian Kevin A. Latiza, Chief, Mine Environmental Management Section, MSESDD, MGB CO;
• Measures for Enhancing Biodiversity Conservation and Protection in Mining Operations by Mr. Anson Tagtag, OIC Chief, CAWED, BMB;
• Rehabilitation of Degraded Ecosystems by Engr. Timothy John M. Dizon, Science Research Specialist II, Forest Ecosystems Research Division, ERDB;
• Overview of Biodiversity-Friendly Enterprises by For. Rachel H. Abenir, Ecosystems Management Specialist II, Biodiversity, Policy and Knowledge Management Division, BMB; and
• Overview of Biodiversity Corridor Project by Mr. Ariel Erasga, Natural Resources Management Officer, National Project Management Unit, UNDP-Biodiversity Corridor Project.

An open forum was then conducted between the participants and the presenters to discuss various matters relating to the implementation of DAO No. 2022-04.

On the second day of the learning event, the participants visited Oceanagold (Philippines), Inc. (OGPI) located in Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino Provinces. The said mine visit aims to acquaint the participants with the existing implementation of OGPI’s biodiversity conservation and protection measures in their mining operations. OGPI also showcased its best practices in mining and processing operations and progressive rehabilitation. Further, updates on the ongoing implementation of the Social Development Management Program (SDMP), the Community and Provincial Development Funds (CDF/PDF), and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) were also presented.

On the third day, the participants visited an eligible site of a Biodiversity-Friendly Enterprise (BDFE) by Mataga-ay Coffee Growers Cooperative located in Jose Ancheta, Madella, Quirino. The said visit to the BDFE site aims to heighten the awareness of the participants on the implementation of an economic activity that is ecologically, socially, and culturally responsible in a Community-based Forest Management area. The said BDFE site also showcased the sustainable use of biodiversity and served as a partner in the protection and conservation of biodiversity.

A closing discussion was then held with Asec. Marcial C. Amaro, Jr., Director, Biodiversity Management Bureau in concurrent capacity as Assistant Secretary for Policy, Planning, and Foreign-Assisted and Special Projects, DENR. The Secretariat also presented the highlights of the roll-out of the policy and field visit as well as the ways forward.

Overall, the event was made possible through the financial and technical support of the DENR/UNDP-GEF-Biodiversity Corridor Project, in coordination with BMB and MGB. The final leg of orientation on DAO No. 2022-04 for the DENR Visayas Cluster (Regions V, VI, VII, and VIII) will be held on May 15-19, 2023 in Cebu City.

By: Mine Safety, Environment, and Social Development Division

Photo 1. RED Gwendolyn C. Bambalan, DENR Regional Office No. II, delivering the welcome message.

Photo 2. Regional Director Mario A. Ancheta, MGB RO No. II, delivering the welcome message.

Photo 3. Engr. Nonita S. Caguioa, Assistant Secretary for
Finance, Information Systems and Mining Concerns, delivering the welcome message.

Photo 4. (Left to Right) For. Teodorico L. Marquez, Jr., Chief, Mine Rehabilitation Section;
Engr. Alfredo L. Faustino, Senior Science Research Specialist, Mine Safety and Health Section;
and Mr. Calvin V. Perez, Community Development Officer III, Social Development and Management Section,
MSESDD, MGB CO during the A.M. session presentation.

Photo 5. (Left to Right) Ms. Argean S. Guiaya, Senior Ecosystems Management Specialist, CAWED, BMB;
For. Christian Kevin A. Latiza, Chief, Mine Environmental Management Section, MSESDD, MGB CO;
and Mr. Anson Tagtag, OIC Chief, CAWED, BMB, during the P.M. session presentation.

Photo 6. (Left to Right) For. Rachel H. Abenir, Ecosystems Management Specialist II, Biodiversity, Policy and Knowledge Management Division, BMB;
Engr. Timothy John M. Dizon, Science Research Specialist II, Forest Ecosystems Research Division, ERDB;
and Mr. Ariel Erasga, Natural Resources Management Officer, National Project Management Unit, UNDP-Biodiversity Corridor Project.

Photo 7. Asec. Marcial C. Amaro, Jr., Director, Biodiversity Management Bureau in concurrent capacity
as Assistant Secretary for Policy, Planning, and Foreign-Assisted and Special Projects, DENR.

Photo 8. The participants of the DENR Luzon Cluster Roll-out with Asec. Nonita S. Caguioa, RED Gwendolyn C. Bambalan, and MGB Regional Director Mario A. Ancheta.

Photo 9. The participants of DENR Luzon Cluster Roll-out with Asec. Marcial C. Amaro, Jr. and MGB Regional Director Mario A. Ancheta.

Photo 10. The participants during the traditional “Tayaw” dance at OGPI.

Photo 11. The participants at the view deck of OGPI’s Tailings Storage Facility.

Photo 12. The participants at the rehabilitated TSF Slope of OGPI.

Photo 13. For. Mark Saclag of OGPI while showing Asec Caguioa the successful progressive rehabilitation of Boya Wastedump

Photo 14. The participants during the field visit in the ongoing implementation of Biodiversity Friendly Enterprise of
Mataga-ay Coffee Growers Producers Cooperative in Barangay Jose Ancheta, Madella, Quirino

Photo 15. Coffee beans and Brewed Coffee of Mataga-ay Coffee Growers Producers Cooperative.