Iloilo City – The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. 6 (MGB RO-6) set out to review and assess its work targets for 2016 and formulated action plans in accomplishing them during the office’s action planning and staff meeting on January 20, 2016. With the division and section chiefs, MGB RO-6 Regional Director Leo Van V. Juguan further discussed strategies on how to maximize resources in accomplishing the work targets and respond to stakeholders-driven activities.
One of the programs and services of MGB RO-6 is conducting geosciences studies and geologic hazard mapping which serve as input to land use planning and classification as well as for disaster preparedness, management and mitigation programs. For 2016, the geosciences-related targets of MGB RO-6 are the conduct of vulnerability risk assessment (VRA), coastal geohazard assessment, sub-surface assessment, groundwater resource availability assessment, and quadrangle mapping.
MGB RO-6 is gearing up further to strengthen its regulatory activities, RD Juguan said. In terms of regulatory and monitoring activities, MGB RO-6 will continue to monitor mining rights holders on their compliance to the work programs and the terms and conditions of the contract. These are companies with existing approved Exploration Permits (EP), Mineral Production Sharing Agreements (MPSA) and Mineral Processing Permits (MPP) in Region 6.
Compliance of mining rights holders to safety, environmental and social development requirements which are translated into different work programs is likewise evaluated by the MGB RO-6. These are the Safety Health Program, Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program and the Social Development and Management Program implemented by mining right holders and monitored by the MGB together with the host local government units.
MGB RO-6 also spearheads the Multi-Partite Monitoring Team that monitors mining companies with MGB-approved permits. The office is likewise mandated to conduct investigations on reported illegal mining activities and make recommendations to the proper bodies on actions to be taken based on findings.
Under the National Mineral Reservation Program, MGB RO-6 is assessing areas that are potential to be declared as a mineral reservation in the region.
Assistance to the local government units (LGUs) through the City/Provincial Mining Regulatory Board (P/CMRB) is being extended by the MGB regional office and one of the targets this year is the inventory of potential small scale mining or Minahang Bayan sites.
MGB RO-6 also continues processing, evaluation and endorsement to the MGB Central Office of mining rights applications in the region. However, with the issuance of Executive Order No. 79 in July 6, 2012, no new mining agreements will be approved “until a legislation rationalizing existing revenue sharing schemes and mechanisms shall have taken effect.”