The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) conducted an Orientation Workshop for Regional Offices’ (RO) technical personnel regarding the newly issued policies to acquaint and capacitate the said personnel to become more effective in carrying out their mandate.
Among the policies that were discussed were: 1) MGB Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 2018-01, or the Guidelines in the Conduct of Apprehension, Seizure, Confiscation and Disposition Illegally Sourced Minerals/Mineral Products and By-Products, Tools, Conveyances and Equipment Used; and 2) MGB MC No. 2018-02, or the Guidelines for Compliance Monitoring and Rating/Scorecard of Mining Permits/Contracts.
The workshop centered on the main element of the rating/scorecard for Mining Permits/Contractors, which is the Tenement, Safety and Health, Environment and Social Development (TSHES) Compliance Performance Rating.
The said rating shall be based on the performance of the Permittees/Contractors on the following: 1) implementation of the approved Three-Year Development/Utilization Work Program, Safety and Health Programs; 2) Environmental Work Programs; 3) Environmental Protection and Enhancement Programs; 4) Community Development Programs; and 5) Social Development and Management Programs, as well as their compliance with the standardized monitoring scorecard. These categories will be used by MGB ROs during the regular conduct of TSHES Monitoring.
Simulation activities in relation to the cases on the apprehension, seizure and confiscation of illegally sourced minerals and the use of monitoring and scorecard system were also conducted during the Workshop.
Other policies that were discussed included 1) Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) MC No. 2018-05, or the Non-coverage of Small-Scale Mining Projects from DENR Memorandum Order No. 2016-01; and 2) DENR Administrative Order No. 2018-13, or the Lifting of the Moratorium on the Acceptance, Processing and/or Approval of Applications for Exploration Permit under DENR Memorandum Order No. 2016-01.
The Workshop was attended by MGB Regional Directors together with the Regional Division and Section Chiefs of the Mine Safety, Environment and Social Development Division, and the Mine Management Division.
The event was conducted in conjunction with the 2018 Mid-Year Management Conference of the MGB and was held from July 31 - August 4, 2018 at Hotel Rembrandt in Quezon City.
By: Mine Safety, Environment and Social Development Division
Orientation Workshop participants from the fifteen (15) Regional Offices of MGB
MGB Director Wilfredo G. Moncano delivers welcome remarks during the opening of the Orientation Workshop
PPIAD spearheaded the discussion of the Tenements, Safety and Health, Environment and Social Development Monitoring Checklist and Compliance Scorecard
Luzon cluster (MGB RO Nos. I to V and MGB CAR) during the simulation of cases with regard to confiscation of illegally sourced minerals