Cimatu vows to fast track Minahang Bayan applications

Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy A. Cimatu vows to fast track Minahang Bayan applications following his recent order to shut down illegal small-scale mines.

On February 15, Cimatu visited areas in Itogon, Benguet which are being applied for as Minahang Bayan by small-scale miners. Specifically, these areas are the Antamok which is covered by the patented area of Benguet Corporation and the Gold Creek area which falls within Gold Creek Mining Corporation’s mining patent.

Cimatu promised to fast track Minahang Bayan applications in these areas so that small-scale mining operations are legalized and regulated.

So far, no Minahang Bayan has been declared in the Cordillera Administrative Region. According to the records of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau-CAR, there are currently 65 pending applications for Minahang Bayan in the region. Some of these have been endorsed to the MGB Central Office while some still have documentary requirements which are yet to be completed.

The requirements in applying for a Minahang Bayan include petition for Minahang Bayan; the status of the area; evaluation report from the MGB; results of initial review of the DENR and MGB; proofs of notice to mining tenement holders, private land owners, to the host local government units (LGU), and to the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP); proof of posting; proof of publication; certification from the City or Provincial Mining Regulatory Board that there is no protest filed against the application and/or that favorable decision is final and executory; endorsement by the majority of LGU council members; certificate of non-overlap and certificate of compliance with corresponding Memorandum of Agreement from the NCIP; and consent from the land owners or companies who have claims over the area being applied for Minahang Bayan. In case of areas with indigenous peoples, a Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) is necessary.

According to Engr. Alfredo Genetiano, chief of the MGB-CAR’s Mine Management Division, in CAR, the prerequisites for the FPIC and the FPIC process itself are usually the most challenging to comply with as the documentary requirements for the conduct of FPIC are too technical for small scale miners while the FPIC process takes time.

Crack down of illegal small-scale mines

Earlier on February 14, Cimatu led the blasting of 18 mine tunnels at Sitio Basa, Camp 4 in Tuba, Benguet.

This was just an initial step to the DENR’s bid to crack down illegal mining activities in the country.

“We have to implement the law,” Cimatu stressed adding no small-scale mining activities should be undertaken outside a declared Minahang Bayan, thus a violation to mining and other environmental laws. He also noted that some of these operations make use of sodium cyanide which is highly toxic. In addition, small scale miners do not have safety hazard control measures in their operations.

“I sympathize with these people. Very dangerous ang ginagawa nila. So sana makahanap sila ng ibang ways to earn for a living other than illegal mining,” he further said.

The mine tunnels ordered closed by Cimatu had intruded the military reservation of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA). Illegal mining operations in the reservation persisted despite a stoppage order issued by the MGB-CAR in 2013. 

            Cimatu has issued Special Order No. 53 creating the National Task Force on Mining Challenge. The task force would ensure strict implementation of existing mining policies and regulations, as well as other related environmental laws.                    

The task force cracked down illegal small-scale mining activities within the vicinities of the PMA; Brgy. Kias in Baguio City; and Camp 4 in Benguet which led to the closure of several adits and confiscation of mineral products, chemicals, and several equipment used by small scale miners.

            He said the task force would help the DENR and its MGB in implementing not only mining rules, but also other environmental laws, such as those on pollution and illegal logging, which mining operations may have violated.

            “Mining operations affect such a huge part of our environment, and are often covered by many interrelated environmental laws that cannot be addressed by the MGB alone,” he pointed out.

The NTF MC, which now serves as the enforcement arm of the DENR, is expected to roam around the country to shut down illegal mines which do not only pose threat to the environment, but also to the lives of small-scale miners.

The Task Force will also run after illegal importers, retailers and distributors of explosives and cyanide which are commonly used in small-scale mining operations. ###

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DENR to set up MGB office in resource-rich Dinagat Islands

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is setting up a satellite office of its Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in the resource-rich province of Dinagat Islands, nearly eight decades since it was declared a mineral reservation area.

The establishment of an MGB satellite office in Caraga region’s newest province is pursuant to DENR Administrative Order No. 2018-01 recently issued by Secretary Roy A. Cimatu.

Cimatu said the move is expected to strengthen the enforcement of mining laws and regulations in Dinagat Islands, which was declared a mineral reservation area in 1939.

Formerly part of Surigao del Norte province, Dinagat Islands has abundant mineral deposits, particularly nickel and chromite. It is also blessed with a rich biological diversity.

“We have to prevent or totally stop degradation of Dinagat Islands which may have been caused by mining operations in the area,” Cimatu said.

“Establishing a satellite office there would help ensure that we protect the richness of its biodiversity from the mountains to the sea, benefitting more of its inhabitants,” he added.

The establishment of satellite offices in the countryside is one of the policy reforms being introduced by Cimatu to ensure “a people-oriented mining sector that would protect the environment, contribute more significantly to the national income, and be world-class and competitive.” 

The administrative order provides that the Dinagat Islands satellite office would be under the direct supervision and management of the Regional Director of MGB-Caraga. The MGB central office, meanwhile, would provide funds to support the creation of the satellite office.

Since it was declared a mineral reservation, Dinagat Islands’ rich natural environment has been threatened by mining operations. 

Dinagat Islands has a high ecotourism potential with its beautiful islands and beaches. It has been included in the list of key biodiversity areas for being sanctuary to a number of endemic species of animals and plants, including the critically endangered Dinagat bushy-tailed cloud rat, writhed hornbill, and Philippine Tarsier.

A 200-hectare natural bonsai forest can also be found straddling Mt. Redondo and Kambinliw in Loreto town. The forest has a pending application for declaration as a World Heritage Site of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization or UNESCO. ###

DENR press releases and other news/feature articles are posted at the DENR website: www.denr.gov.ph. For queries/comments, write: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Cimatu reminds LGU of its ‘shared responsibility’ to enforce environmental laws in Boracay

Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu is reminding the municipal government of Malay in Aklan province of its responsibility to protect and preserve the world-famous Boracay Island through strict implementation of pertinent environmental laws and regulations.

Cimatu, who has been tasked by President Rodrigo Duterte to address the environmental problems besetting Boracay in six months, said the local government shares with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) the responsibility to enforce laws on environmental protection and conservation.

“The local government of Malay has direct jurisdiction and supervision over Boracay. It is the primary government unit responsible in ensuring that all laws, environmental or otherwise, are executed and followed,” Cimatu pointed out.

Cimatu said he is expecting the local government of Aklan to give its all-out support for the DENR and other concerned agencies for them to meet the deadline set by the President.

“Just like students who are told to pass their papers, finished or not finished, on a set deadline, the same will be for us in the DENR. We have to put an end to this huge Boracay problem in six months,” Cimatu said.

The former Armed Forces chief said that within the next six months, the DENR will lead the “transformation” of Boracay starting with the removal of illegal structures that largely contributed to environmental problems facing the island paradise.

Cimatu said he favors a moratorium on the construction of new buildings and the opening of new business establishments, especially in the beach area.

“We have to go back to the core of the problem which is the strict enforcement of all existing laws and the protection of the environment,” Cimatu said.

The environment chief had already instructed DENR Region 6 Director Jim Sampulna to evaluate the 300 establishments and if found violating the laws and regulations, to immediately issue Notices of Violation (NOV).

As of today, 51 establishments have been issued NOVs for violating Chapter 5 Section 27  of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 9275 or the Clean Water Act of 2004.

The law requires all commercial and residential establishments to dispose septic waste through a treatment facility.

“Let this Boracay issue serve notice to local governments, businesses and residents of other tourism destinations to strictly follow all our laws. Let us not allow the other beautiful and pristine islands in the country to suffer the fate of Boracay,” Cimatu said.

Last week, President Duterte threatened to shut down Boracay Island, which he described as a “cesspool,” following reports that thousands of establishments there have no proper sewage treatment facilities and are directly discharging their untreated wastewater into the sea. ###

DENR press releases and other news/feature articles are posted at the DENR website: www.denr.gov.ph. For queries/comments, write: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.