Iloilo City – Regional Director and PMRFC Chair Leo Van V. Juguan, CESO V of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Regional Office 6 (MGB, DENR RO-6) tackled policies covering the accreditation of mineral traders, dealers and retailers of mineral products during the information and education seminar of the Provincial Mine Rehabilitation Fund Committee (PMRFC) – Province of Iloilo on May 11, 2018.
Under Republic Act 7942 (Mining Act of 1995) and its rules and regulations, traders, dealers, and retailers of minerals, mineral products, and by-products who are not contractors, permit holders or mining right holders are required to be accredited by the MGB, DENR.
The Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office (PGENRO), Iloilo Province headed by Atty. Arturo C. Cangrejo organized the activity that gathered more than a hundred permit holders of quarry and sand and gravel (SAG) permits in the province. PGENRO Iloilo tackled updates on mining policies and activities in the province of Iloilo. Atty. Cangrejo exhorted the permit holders for self-regulation in complying with mining policies.
Mr. Wilfredo J. Homicillada, Executive Director of PROCESS-Panay facilitated the discussions that sought to strengthen the understanding of laws and policies governing the extraction, transport, and retailing of non-metallic mineral resources among permit holders.
Engr. Stella Tipanan of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) talked about the requirements for the processing of Environmental Impact System (EIS) and the online application for Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).
RD Juguan in his message emphasized that accountability and responsibility are key principles in doing business while putting equal importance on taking care of the environment. He stressed that the government under the present administration is undoubtedly serious in enforcing environmental laws and regulations. (MGB, DENR RO-6)