Iloilo City –The DENR, Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. 6 (MGB RO-6) with Provincial Mining Regulatory Board (PMRB) of the province of Iloilo discussed the laws and regulations governing the declaration of a Minahang Bayan or Small-Scale Mining Program of the government. This is in line with the proposed Minahang Bayan in barangays Nueva Invencion, Sto. Tomas, and San Fernando, Barotac Viejo.
A Minahang Bayan or People’s Small-Scale Mining is a cooperative of small-scale miners organized in a certain area or region and regulated by the government through Republic Act 7076 and its implementing rules and regulations, DAO 2015-03.
The municipal officials of Barotac Viejo and barangay officials of barangays Nueva Invencion, Sto. Tomas and San Fernando were present during the said orientation. Representatives of the small-scale miners cooperative also attended the meeting. The body agreed that information and awareness on Minahang Bayan should be further conducted especially at the barangay levels.