The Mine Rehabilitation Fund Committee (MRFC) for Region 6 is focused on improving and strengthening further its systems and initiatives to achieve a more effective implementation and monitoring of environmental programs by mining contractors and permit holders. This was emphasized by the MRFC Chairperson Engr. Leo Van V. Juguan, regional director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Region 6 during the MRFC Region 6 planning workshop early this year.
According to RD Juguan, the Mining Act of 1995 requires operating permit/contract holders to establish a guarantee fund mechanism collectively known as the Contingent Liability Rehabilitation Fund (CLRF). The CLRF shall be in the form of the Mine Rehabilitation Fund (MRF), Mine Waste and Tailing Fee (MWTF) and the Final Mine Rehabilitation and Decommissioning Fund (FMRDF) and shall be administered by the CLRF Steering Committee.
The Mine Rehabilitation Fund (MRF) is established and maintained by each operating mining permit holder/contractor as a reasonable environmental deposit to ensure availability of funds to implement the commitments and activities stated in the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program (EPEP) and the Annual EPEP which is a mandatory requirement when applying for a mining permit or contract.
Divided into two types – the Rehabilitation Cash Fund (RCF) and Monitoring Trust Fund (MTF) – the MRF is deposited in a government depository bank as a trust fund and is being managed by the Mine Rehabilitation Fund Committee (MRFC) in each region. The Mine Rehabilitation Fund Committee (MRFC) is composed of representatives from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) of the local government unit, non-government organization (NGO), and mining permit holders. The MRFC is chaired by the regional director of the MGB in the region.
The MRFC in Region 6 convened last January 28, 2016 to review its operations last year and to discuss the work and financial program for 2016. Chaired by RD Juguan, members of the MRFC Region 6 particularly representatives from the DENR 6, EMB-DENR 6, PEMO-Negros Occidental, PENRO-Iloilo, Guimaras ENRO, NGO representatives from Negros Occidental, Iloilo, and Guimaras and representatives of permit holders from the three provinces attended the planning-workshop.
Engr. Rene de la Cruz, chief of the Mine Safety, Environment and Social Development Division of MGB RO-6 (MSESDD) and Special Assistant to the Chairperson said that the MRFC Region 6 is currently preparing for the operationalization of the MRFC in Negros Island Region (NIR).
Holders of MGB-issued mining permits/contracts in Region 6 particularly Industrial Sand and Gravel Permits, Mineral Processing Permits and Mineral Production Sharing Agreements are required to establish their MRF.