Iloilo City – The DENR-Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Regional Office 6 (MGB RO-6) conducted an orientation for the Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resource Office (PGENRO) of the Province of Iloilo on the processing and approval of the Certificate of Environmental Management and Community Relations Record (CEMCRR) and the Social Development Management Program (SDMP) on February 13, 2020 at the Casa Real, Provincial Capitol of Iloilo. These documents are part of the requirements for quarry, small-scale mining and sand, and gravel (commercial and industrial) permit applications in Region 6 on February 13, 2020
The issuance of quarry, sand, and gravel (below five hectares) and small-scale mining permits is a devolved function under the Local Government Code of 1991.
MGB RO-6 OIC Regional Director Raul A. Laput in his message said that discussions with the local government and the Provincial Mining and Regulatory Board (PMRB) in the different provinces led to the streamlining of the flow in processing requirements for LGU-issued permits. This is consistent with the government’s policy on ease of doing business.
The provincial government faces many challenges in fortifying the regulation of the mining and quarrying activities in the province, said Atty. Arturo C. Cangrejo, chief of the Iloilo PGENRO. He extended his appreciation for the assistance of MGB in the enforcement of mining regulations, monitoring and curbing illegal quarrying activities in the province.
A pool of MGB RO-6 technical resource persons presented the flow and guidelines of the application process for the CEMCRR and SDMP. The CEMCRR is proof of the good record of accomplishment of a company or permit holder in terms of community relations. The SDMP, on the other hand, is a community development tool required of permit holders to ensure that the host and neighboring communities benefit from the project in terms of livelihood, education, infrastructure, medical and other social development programs. (MGB RO-6)