MANILA, Philippines – As of April 29, 2020, a total of PHP203,166,706.42 of the Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) Realignment Fund budget allocation has been utilized to aid the targeted number of frontliners and households.

Recently, President Rodrigo Duterte issued another extension of the enhanced community quarantine which will now last until May 15, 2020. On April 30, the government also issued the varying degrees of quarantine restrictions to be enforced throughout the country in order to prevent further spread of COVID-19. The president has approved the rules recommended by the Inter-Agency Task Force, to be imposed in areas under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and general community quarantine (GCQ).

With this, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) together with the mining industry shall ensure its active participation in further utilizing the rest of its budget allocation to further assist various communities and hospitals across the country.

MGB has issued a Memorandum dated March 27, 2020, authorizing the Regional Directors to reallocate unused funds from the SDMP of mining companies to help the affected impact and non-impact communities of COVID-19. The memorandum was created in accordance with Republic Act 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.

This initiative also complies with section 136-E of DENR Administrative Order No. 2010-21, Republic Consolidated IRR Act 7942, better known as the "Philippine Mining Act of 1995."

By: Mineral Economics, Information and Publication Division