Ramos, Paje brief governors on responsible mining, geohazard and MDC function

Mines and Geosciences Bureau Director Horacio C. Ramos and Presidential Assistant on Mining and Executive Director of Minerals Development Council (MDC) Ramon Paje briefed on 13 February 2008 governors of some 40 provinces nationwide on responsible mining, geohazard and function of the MDC during the one-day 2^nd General Assembly of the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) held at the Villa Del Rey, Camarines Sur Capitol Complex in Pili, Camarines Sur.

The assembly, with the theme “Enhancing National and Local Government Partnership in Improving Environmental Governance and Natural Resources Stewardship” delved on the programs and projects of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for 2008.

Ramos discussed the status of the government’s revitalization program for the mineral industry launched in 2004, responsible mining and the bureau’s geohazard assessment program. Paje presented the major functions of the MDC and its plans and programs for 2008.

Supporting Ramos and Paje are Atty. Leo B. Dominguez of the Quisumbing and Torres Law Offices and a member of the Legal Committee of the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines and Ambassador Delia Domingo. Dominguez presented the legal framework and milestone of the Philippine mineral industry while Domingo gave a briefer on the relationship, the missing link, between the MDC and the LGUs.

At the open forum, Paje and Ramos answered queries raised by the attending governors, queries that revolved more on mining applications, issuance of mining permits, mining claims, transport permit issued for small-scale and large scale mining and the geohazard assessment program of the bureau.

Notable participants to the assembly include LPP National Chairman and Camarines Sur Governor Luis Raymond F. Villafuerte, Jr., Governor and LPP National President Loreto Leo S. Ocampos, Secretaries Rolando Andaya, Art C. Yap and Norberto Gonzales.

President Gloria M. Arroyo keynotes the assembly. (LVA-Foresight  Jan-June2008 issue)