Iloilo City – The Provincial Mining Regulatory Board (PMRB) and Provincial Mine Rehabilitation Fund Committee (PMRFC) of the six provinces in Region 6 held their 11th regional summit last August 28-30, 2024 at Diversion 21 Hotel in Iloilo City.
Centering on the theme “Strengthening the Functions and Bridging Gaps of PMRFCs and P/CMRB for an Environmentally Sustainable and Socially Responsible Mining Industry,” the members of the P/CMRB and PMRFC of each province gathered to review the implementation of current policies and learn more about the recently issued policies.
The Provincial Mining Regulatory Board (PMRB) in the Philippines is a local government body established under the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 (Republic Act No. 7942). It is tasked with overseeing small-scale mining activities within a province. Each province with significant mining activity has its own PMRB, which works under the supervision of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Regional Office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
On the other hand, the Mine Rehabilitation Fund Committee (MRFC) is a key regulatory body that oversees the implementation of environmental management, rehabilitation, and closure plans for mining projects. Under the supervision of the MGB, its main purpose is to ensure that mining operations comply with environmental laws and regulations, particularly in mined-out areas, and mitigate environmental impacts.
MGB VI OIC Regional Director Cecilia L. Ochavo-Saycon said the mining industry faces many challenges but the presence of each one during the summit underscores a collective commitment to converse and dialogue on working together productively. The shared goal and responsibility are to achieve a responsive, systematic, and balanced environment for businesses to thrive, while government policies and regulations are enforced and followed, and for corporate social responsibility in addressing the needs of host communities, and protecting the environment.
Present during the event was DENR VI OIC Regional Executive Director and Concurrent Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services Raul Lorilla, and MGB VI chief of the Geosciences Division Ms. Mae Y. Magarzo who represented the OIC Regional Director during the first day. MGB VI OIC division chiefs Engr. Errol C. Fuentes and Engr. Ronald C. Villamora were also part of the pool of resource speakers during the event.
The regional summit provided a series of lectures on the following topics:
- Salient Laws and Department Rules and Regulations Relative to the Law on Accreditation or Extraction of Sediment accretion in SAG and Quarry Areas
- Update on EMB Policies on Local Environmental Governance Towards Responsible Stewardship and Cooperation with LGUs
- FMR/DP Accomplishments and Implementation of Philex Gold Philippines, Inc.
- Updates on the Environmental, Social and Safety and Health Policies for the Mining Industry
- Mining Industry Situationer in the Region and Provinces
- Status and Updates on Mining Permit and Implementation of Previous Commitments, Economic, Environmental, and Social Contributions, Best Practices, Operational Concerns, and Ways Forward
MGB VI OIC Saycon acknowledged the partnership with P/CMRBs and PMRFC as they move forward to working together for continued progress and excellence in mining regulation and in realizing the potential of the mining industry in contributing to our country’s economic development goals. (MGB VI)