GOVPH

Details: Last Updated: 10 July 2023

The Mineral Economics, Information and Publication Division (MEIPD) of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Central Office conducted the 2023 Mining Stakeholder’s Forum last 22-23 June 2023 at the MGB Multipurpose Hall, North Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City.

The two-day forum aims to heighten the awareness of mining stakeholders on responsible mining practices, developments, issues, and recent policies on mining, in order to achieve better outcomes, whether on education, connection, engagement or profit. Through this forum, the MGB will have a much better position and leverage to manage and engage its key stakeholders and turn them into advocates, supporters, and even partners.

The key stakeholders identified were the mining companies, members from mining organizations, officials from national government agencies, local government units, non-government organizations, and representatives of the academe. The activity was conducted in a hybrid manner where each stakeholder has an opportunity to attend via face-to-face or online videoconferencing.

Key officials present during the workshop were Engr. Marcial H. Mateo, OIC, MGB Office of the Assistant Director and Chief of the Mine Safety, Environment and Social Development Division (MSESDD), Engr. Romualdo D. Aguilos, Chief of the MGB-MEIPD, Engr. Bernardo D. Bitanga, OIC-Chief of the MGB-Metallurgical Technology Division, and Dr. Rogel A. Santos, Chief of the MGB-Marine Geological Survey Division. Ms. Diory G. Carr of the MEIPD served as the host during the forum.

Engr. Aguilos officially opened the program through an introductory remark, emphasizing that the mining stakeholder’s forum is held every year to report on what has been done so far, and to foresee where the mining industry is going. Engr. Mateo delivered the opening message of Atty. Danilo U. Uykieng, MGB OIC-Director, highlighting that the forum intends to listen to all the stakeholders in environment and natural resources management and make sure all major various concerns are properly and carefully addressed, making the utmost importance on MGB’s part to report the new and updated mining policies created within the government.

Day 1 of the forum discussed two recently issued mining policies which are as follows:

DENR Administrative Order No. 2022-04 or Enhancing Biodiversity Conservation and Protection in Mining Operation, presented by For. Christian Kevin A. Latiza of the MSESDD; and
DENR Administrative Order No. 2022-08 or Moratorium on Acceptance of New Applications for Special Exploration Permit/ Government Seabed Quarry Permit, presented by Engr. Donald M. Ofalsa of the Mining Tenements Management Division.

Meanwhile, day 2 of the event discussed the following:

DENR Administrative Order No. 2022-03 or the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 7076, otherwise known as the “People’s Small-Scale Mining Act of 1991.” Presented by Engr. Jan Jeremiah V. Villaroman of the Mining Technology Division (MTD); and
DENR Administrative Order No. 2023-05 or the Revised Guidelines for the Classification and Reporting Standards of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources, and Mineral Reserves, presented by Engr. Vernier L. Serrano of the MTD

Apart from the issued policies, sample case studies were also presented to have a better appreciation of the released Administrative Orders. After each presentation, the stakeholders had an opportunity to ask questions and clarifications regarding the presented topics.

A total of over one thousand (1,000) participants including MGB Regional Offices, mining companies, civil society groups, religious groups, academe, and mining communities attended the forum thru face-to-face and online platform.

At the end of the forum, Engr. Mateo underlined in his closing remarks that through the recently issued policies, the mineral resources would be strictly regulated in order to utilize it not just for the present generation but also for future generation as well.

The hybrid forum brought together partners and stakeholders from the mining industry, national and local government bodies, academe, media, civil society, and more in a 2-day event discussing the most recent policies and developments in mining.

Photos

MGB SF 2023