NEWS

By Leander C. Domingo

Photo by GMA News Online

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya: Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu has ordered the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) to identify a possible area for a “Minahang Bayan” site in Quezon town for residents displaced by recent landslides.

Cimatu earlier ordered the MGB Region 2 to close down illegal small-scale mining (SSM) operations in a landslide-prone area in the town’s Barangay Runruno a few of whose residents died in landslides during the onslaught of Typhoon “Ulysses” more than a week ago.

At least 10 bodies were recovered from a hazard-prone area in the stios of Kinalabasa, Bit-ang and Compound in Runruno village near a large-scale mining firm operated by London-based FCF Minerals Corp., which has a 25-year financial and technical assistance agreement or FTAA with the national government.

Cimatu said a Minahang Bayan site would provide a continuous livelihood for those who would be displaced by the closure of the SSM operations in the mineral-rich village in the province.

During the Mining Philippines 2019 International Conference and Exhibition in Pasay City, the MGB national office reported some 29 Minahang Bayan in the country and had endorsed six more to the Office of the Secretary for clearance.

In 2012, then-President Benigno Aquino 3rd issued Executive Order 79, which provided for the Minahang Bayan Law aiming to implement mining reforms in the country to ensure environmental protection and promote responsible utilization of mineral resources.

Under Republic Act 7076, or the “People’s Small-Scale Mining Act of 1991,” small-scale mining operations should only be allowed within a declared Minahang Bayan with only three metallic minerals such as gold, silver and chromite only to be mined.

Small-scale miners will not be allowed to mine nickel, iron and other metals, which require huge investment and elaborate operations, under the rules.

Mario Ancheta, MGB-Region 2 director, said it is specifically the MGB that designates the Minahang Bayan upon the endorsement of the provincial mining regulatory board (PMRB).

The Minahang Bayan Law gives the PMRB the authority to, among others, formulate and implement rules and regulations related to small-scale mining.

“In case there will be a good site for a Minahang Bayan in Quezon town, it will be the PMRB of Nueva Vizcaya that will formulate and implement rules and regulations for its operations,” Ancheta said.

“Secretary Cimatu’s order of finding a Minahang Bayan site for use by displaced small miners in Quezon town is to have them legalized and regulated to ensure their safety and to provide for their continued livelihood while preventing further destruction of the environment,” he added.

Ancheta explained that miners who will undertake their operations at the Minahang Bayan must comply with regulations, including environmental rules, and the mandatory sale of gold to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas only at its buying stations in Quezon City, Baguio City, Davao City, Zamboanga City and Naga City.

“The government should closely look at the miners’ safety, sanitation and payment of correct taxes,” he said, adding that more Minahang Bayan areas will increase the opportunity for the government to track SSMs.

A rule on SSM also bans the use of mercury and provides for use of centralized mills inside the Minahang Bayan and small-scale mining contracts would be limited to six years, including renewals.

Ancheta said the law also limits the qualified applicants of an SSM contract to a cooperative or a group of small-scale miners; requires the contractors to pay the government share in the amount to be set by the PMRB, on top of the payment of the usual taxes; and also requires mineral processors to secure mineral processing licenses from the board.

The government will get a share of their revenues on top of the usual fees and taxes, he added.

Source: The Manila Times