The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) - Regional Offices No. IX, X, XI, XII, XIII in Mindanao, with the participation of MGB Central Office - Mining Technology Division and Legal Service Division, organized the Training Workshop in Strengthening Mining Law Enforcement in Mindanao last March 26-28, 2025, at Amarah Hotel in Butuan City.
It aimed to strengthen collaboration and develop effective strategies for improving mining law enforcement and policy implementation in Mindanao.
MGB Regional Office No. XIII Regional Director Engr. Larry M. Heradez opened the workshop by delivering his welcome remarks.
Key lectures were delivered by the Atty. Pastor Oran III, Assistant Regional Director of National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) - CARAGA, on the legal framework for apprehension, search, and seizure in mining violations, Atty. Rambo F. Quico, Associate City Prosecutor- Department of Justice (DOJ) – National Prosecution Service - CARAGA on inquest and preliminary investigation procedures for mining and environmental violations (including DOJ Circular No. 20), and Atty. Karen Cecil Panopio-Lafranco, Litigation and Prosecution Division of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Central Office, on institutional agreements for environmental prosecution, particularly the Memorandum of Agreement between DENR and DOJ signed on February 21, 2025, to strengthen the prosecution of environmental crimes.
Meanwhile, participants from MGB Regional and Central Offices produced several key outputs: (1) recommendations for revising MGB MC 2018-01, the Guidelines in the conduct of Apprehension, Seizure, Confiscation and Disposition of illegally sourced Minerals/Mineral Products and By-Products, Tools, Conveyances and Equipment Used (2) a presentation by Engr. Jaypee Juanerio Chief of Mine Evaluation and Enforcement Section of MTD on the proposed policy for the deputation of DENROs for Mines, which aims to standardize deputation procedures in MGB; and (3) the development of standardized legal documentation, along with the proposed policy recommendations on the role of MGB lawyers in prosecution, administrative costs for enforcement operations, and the award of damages in mining cases.
The event concluded with a commitment from all participants to continue working together towards strengthened enforcement and enhanced collaboration against illegal mining activities.
As for the next steps, the Mindanao Regional Offices will consolidate the workshop outputs and endorse them to the Policy Technical Working Group at the MGB Central Office for further deliberation.
MGB RO XIII Regional Director Engr. Larry M. Herades is delivering his welcome remarks.
The participants from MGB Mindanao ROs and MGB CO at the Training Workshop in Strengthening Mining Law Enforcement in Mindanao at Amarah Hotel, Butuan City
Keynotes Speakers from NBI and DOJ
Engr. Jaypee Juanerio of MGB Central Office – Mining Technology Division on his presentation on the proposed policy for the deputation of DENROs for Mines