The Department of Budget and Management approved the Notice of Staffing and Classification Action (NOSCA) of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) prompting the upgrading of its Legal Staff to Division status. The approval of the NOSCA is under the Government Rationalization Program Pursuant to Executive Order No. 366.

The functional shift to Legal Division is in view of the expansion in workload following the increase in mining activities as a result of a revitalized mining industry and the passage of the Rules on Environmental Law.

The Legal Division will independently handle mining conflicts appealable to the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources following the prescribed legal process.

The Legal Division also provides full-time Secretariat Support to the Mines Adjudication Board (MAB), a quasi-judicial body created under Republic Act 7942. The MAB promulgates rules and regulations governing the hearing and disposition of mining cases, and monitors the Legal Staff and Panel of Arbitrators in the regional Offices.

As a result of continuing review of the MGB Central Office Functional Statement, The Legal Services Division Shall provide legal services to the Central Office for the effective and efficient implementation of laws, rules and regulations and policies relating to the administration and disposition of mineral lands and resources.

The Legal Division shall be composed of two sections: the Legal Review and Research Section, and Legal Investigation Section.

By: Legal Staff