CEBU, Philippines - The Mines and Geosciences Bureau-7 of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has apprehended 42 cases of illegally sourced or transported minerals from January to December 15, 2009 with close to P300, 000 collected as administrative penalty.
As it is about to close this year’s operation, MGB said it will continue to push for a heightened campaign against environmental law violators especially the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 or Republic Act 7942.
“We are continuously monitoring illegal mining or quarrying activities in the region to ensure that appropriate taxes or fees shall ensue to the concerned LGUs (local government units) at the same time protecting our environment and natural resources,” said MGB-7 director Roger de Dios.
“We are doubling our efforts to stop these activities as we have been receiving a tall order from DENR Secretary Jose L. Atienza, Jr. as his banner program to pursue them more aggressively considering the adverse environmental and economic consequences of rampant and indiscriminate illegal mining or quarrying,” he added.
De Dios explained this is for the LGUs to gain a better grasps of the importance of stopping illegal mining, that illegal mining or quarrying operations result to loss of revenues in taxes and fees, environmentally unsound practices, unsystematic and unsafe operations, and unrehabilitated or abandoned mined-out areas.
The most common violation is the transporting, hauling or shipment of minerals or mineral products without the necessary Ore Transport Permit (OTP) or Delivery Receipt (DR).
Also, the misdeclaration on the entries required on the OTP such as volume of quantity, mineral commodity, validity period, and location of delivery are also among the common violations.
Engaging in the processing of minerals without securing the required Mineral Processing Permits (MPPs), extraction of sand and gravel without permit, trading of minerals or mineral products without the necessary Certificate of Accreditation as Mineral Trader, Processor of Minerals or Mineral Products are also not allowed under RA 7942.
The recorded apprehensions were undertaken in Metro Cebu area; Toledo City; Danao City and Balamban, Cebu.
De Dios said that to expand their monitoring operation, the Regional Minerals Development Council-7 has endorsed the formation of a joint task force to forge a meaningful partnership and collaboration to enhance mining law enforcement capability.
The joint task force consists of the National Bureau of Investigation-7, Central Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Department of Interior and Local Government, and Philippine National Police-7.
“A more rigorous campaign against mining law violations particularly on illegal mining and quarrying operations will be pursued next year,” de Dios said. “With the support and assistance of the task force, the full force of the mining law will be imposed against anyone who will violate them.” — Jessica Ann R. Pareja/WAB (FREEMAN NEWS)