The Mining Forest Program-National Executive Committee (MFP-NEC) gathered for the Writeshop on Enhancement of the MFP from March 5-8, 2024 at Dawal Resort in Candelaria, Zambales.
The event aimed to revitalize and improve the 35-year-old policy on the establishment of mining forests in the Philippines, as outlined in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Administrative Order (DAO) No. 22 series of 1989.
The writeshop, made possible by funds from the Forest Management Bureau (FMB), was attended by OIC-Assistant Director Edna D. Nuestro of FMB, Engr. Marcial H. Mateo, Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), and technical representatives from the MGB, FMB, Environmental Management Bureau, Biodiversity Management Bureau, and Office of the Undersecretary for Field Operations – Luzon, Visayas, and Supervising Undersecretary for Mines and Geosciences Bureau – Luzon and Visayas and Environmental Management Bureau – Luzon and Visayas.
The MFP is born of the collaborative effort between mining companies and the government to promote progressive rehabilitation and reforestation; generate a holistic approach to mining forest management; advocate for environmental protection and biodiversity conservation; and campaign for positive contributions to climate change mitigation.
The four-day writeshop posed as a series of deliberations that focused on the integration of the provisions from various forestry- and mining-related policies, DAO No.2022-04 re: Enhancing Biodiversity Conservation and Protection in Mining Operations, updating the guidelines and categories for the Best Mining Forest Contest, revisiting the composition of the NEC, and exploring the potential of integrating geospatial and remote-sensing technologies into the program, among others.
With promising outcomes from the discussions, a new set of guidelines for the Best Mining Forest Contest was deliberated and developed. To assess the feasibility of the proposed measures and parameters, the participants of the said writeshop visited the mining project of Eramen Minerals, Inc. (EMI) in Sta. Cruz, Zambales for the pilot testing of the proposed new guidelines. As the MFP Writeshop drew to a close, the participants pledged to further their collaboration to work towards the implementation of the drafted amendments.
The efforts of the NEC members signify a passionate commitment to the advancement of sustainable mining practices in the Philippines. The event stands as a testament to the hand-in-hand commitment of the government and mining companies to safeguard the environment.
Photo 1.Engr. Marcial H. Mateo delivering the opening message and direction setting of the writeshop.
Photo 2. For.Teodorico L. Marquez, Jr. discussing the existing guidelines on the implementation of MFP and BMFC.
Photo 3. Representatives of the MFP-NEC during the Safety Orientation in Eramen Minerals, Inc. (EMI)
Photo 4.OIC-Assistant Director Edna D. Nuestro, FMB, together with MFP-NEC Technical Secretariat during the field visit in the established plantation of EMI
Photo 5.For.Randelle Ralph G. Canicosa, FMB, demonstrating the proposed nursery management guidelines
Photo 6.MFP-NEC representatives from BMB visiting the aviary of EMI
Photo 7.OIC-Assistant Director Edna D. Nuestro, FMB, observing Payuspos, (Leptospermum sp.) a nickel hyperaccumulator species thriving in EMI.
Photo 8.MFP-NEC during the field visit in the mined-out area of EMI.
Photo 9.MFP-NEC participants on the Writeshop on Enhancement of the MFP in Dawal Resort in Candelaria, Quezon
By: Mine Safety, Environment, and Social Development Division