RDC urges Lapu-Lapu City: Create mining regulatory body

CEBU, Philippines - The Regional Development Council (RDC) 7 wants Lapu-Lapu City Government to create a City Mining Regulatory Board (CMRB) that will be responsible in the issuance of permits for the extraction of Mactan stones.

The Economic Development Council in its report states that the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (MGB-DENR) 7 has ordered the stoppage of mining and processing of Mactan stones in Lapu-lapu City because of the lack of mining permits.

 “The non-issuance of mining permits in Lapu-lapu City is due to the absence of a City Mining Regulatory Board (CMRB) and enabling local mining ordinance,” it said.

EDC recommended to RDC that Lapu-Lapu City should create its regulatory board and this was approved by the RDC full council during its meeting last Thursday in Tagbilaran City.

Regional Director Asteria Caberte of the Department of Trade and Industry 7 expressed concern that exporters of Mactan stone-based products have been greatly affected by the non-issuance of mining permits for Mactan stone.

“The region foregoes with export income as exporters are unable to comply with export orders for these products,” she said.

Quarrying of Mactan stones falls under the small-scale mining category.

A highly-urbanized city has the responsibility to issue permits for small-scale mining and quarrying through a City Mining Regulatory Board as provided for in Republic Act 7942 otherwise known as the Mining Act of 1995 and in consonance with the Local Government Code and the People Small-Scale Mining Act (RA 7076).

Lapu-Lapu City, being a highly-urbanized city has to have its own board and an enabling local mining ordinance.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza who attended the RDC meeting said that the city has a mining regulatory group which gives hauling permit in lieu of mining permit.

The LGU is also in coordination with MGB-7 for the establishment of a CMRB.  (FREEMAN)