Bicol Mines Bureau tenements cleansing reaches 100.5%

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau in Bicol (MGB-V) recently announced that it has completed its drive to cleanse its records of non-moving mining applications following the June 30, 2011 cut-off date set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

MGB-V said its accomplishment reached 100.5% or 195 mining applications out of the 194 actual target applications regionwide. Of the 195 applications subject of final action, it has approved one (1) application, denied 181 and endorsed 13 to MGB central office for clearance and or approval.

Nationwide, MGB-V together with MGB regional offices in Regions 1, VII, VIII, X and XII were able to meet their targets in terms of physical 100% accomplishment. The other regions failed to accomplish their targets.

The MGB Central’s Office has reported that as of June 30 the over-all cumulative accomplishment of its fifteen regional offices nationwide has already reached 93% or 2,034 of the 2,180 target applications nationwide. Of the 2,034 applications, 1,525 dormant applications were denied while 509 were endorsed to MGB central office for clearance and or approval.

Mining tenements include Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA), Exploration Permit (EP), Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA), Industrial Sand and Gravel Permit applications (ISAG) covering an area of more than five (5) hectares and Mineral Processing Permit (MPP).

It will be recalled that early this year DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje directed all regional directors of the MGB to cleanse their respective regions of all pending and inactive mining applications by implementing the “Use it or Lose it” policy. The cleansing aims to institute reforms in the mining sector and is part of the Department anti-corruption program.     

Pursuant to Memorandum Order 2010-04, a mining application is denied if the applicant fails: a) to abide with the “three letter-notice policy” which gives the applicant a maximum of 30 days in between notices to comply with the prescribed requirements; b) to secure the “Free and Prior Informed Consent“ from the rightful Indigenous Peoples concerned as certified by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP); to secure the NCIP Certificate of Non-overlap within one (1) year, NCIP Certificate of Precondition (Compliance Certificate) within three (3) years from the date of NCIP’s receipt of the pertinent letter request from the MGB, and proof of consultation with the Sanggunian concerned within two years from date of acceptance of mining application; and fails to complete the publication, posting radio announcement requirements within one year from date of acceptance of the mining application. (LDValdez PRESS RELEASE AUGUST 10, 2011).