The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. 6 (MGB RO 6), Department of Environment and Natural Resources, focused on government policies and actual practices showing responsible mining during the stakeholders’ forum it conducted on June 22, 2017 at the Iloilo Grand Hotel.
MGB RO 6 Regional Director Leo Van V. Juguan, CESO V said that the forum aimed to dialogue with mining stakeholders on good practices, policy gaps, and challenges in pursuing the directive of the DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu to ensure environmental protection in mining activities through the full implementation of existing laws on clean air, clean water, and solid waste management.
Forty-two participants coming from the local government units, non-government organizations, academe, media and the mining industry in Region 6 and Negros Occidental, NIR attended the forum.
Engr. Rene B. de la Cruz, Chief of the Mine Safety, Environment and Social Development Division discussed the common misconceptions on mining. “We hope that by continuing to inform and engage our stakeholders on how to responsibly manage and use our mineral resources, we will be able to lessen misconceptions on mining,” Engr. de la Cruz said.
A representative of a mining company presented actual practices of responsible mining and how it observed environmental regulations beyond compliance. “We give proofs of how principles and policies of responsible mining are translated into actual reforestation and how communities benefit from community development projects of the company,” Ms. Nancy Baldoza of Philex Gold Philippines, Inc. said in her presentation.
RD Juguan discussed policy issuances on mining. He said that policies regulating the mining industry are continuously being reviewed and clarified to respond to the issues and concerns of the different stakeholders. The forum is a good venue to discuss and get feedback from the different stakeholders of the mining industry.
The stakeholders’ forum tackling mining issues is part of the activities of the MGB, DENR in celebrating the Philippine Environment Month. Mining companies are also enjoined to a nationwide tree planting activity during the Arbor Day on June 25, 2017. (MGB RO-6)