Iloilo City –The Enforcement Division of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Regional Office 6 in partnership with the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office 6 (MGB RO-6) conducted an orientation on mining laws and regulations to capacitate the DENR 6 personnel.
A total of 179 personnel from the DENR 6 Enforcement Division, Conservation and Development Division, Licences, Patents and Deeds Division, Chief of the Enforcement Section, Lawin Data Managers and Forest Rangers/Patrollers in the PENROs and CENROs learned about the provisions of mining laws and regulations. The activity was envisioned to equip the DENR personnel in the enforcement of mining laws and regulations that would enable them to assist the MGB in its enforcement functions. This would also lead to the harmonization and integration of all the functions of the DENR.
MGB-6 resource persons headed by Atty. Cesar Emmanuelle P. Buyco and Engr. Jolepe O. Suerte focused on the features of MGB Memorandum Circular 2018-01 or 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.” Learning about this regulation equips government personnel on the basic legal steps and actions to combat illegal mining activities.
The one-day activity was capped by a workshop and simulation of actual scenario to demonstrate the participant’s understanding and application of MGB MC 2018-01 in apprehending violators or those conducting mining activities without the necessary permit.
DENR 6 Chief of the Enforcement Division June Melissa C. Garol expressed her appreciation for the knowledge shared by MGB-6 that would strengthen the capacity of Lawin Patrollers in enforcing environmental laws on the field. MGB RO-6 Chief of the Finance and Administrative Division Cecilia L. Ochavo-Saycon said that the activity proved t be fruitful given the active participation of all the participants and their commendable presentations of the different real-life scenarios in curbing illegal mining operations. MGB RO-6)