MGB-8 stops new mining bids in EV

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines  — The Mines and Geosciences Bureau-Region 8 has stopped accepting new applications for mining this year, and announced that it is going to review all pending mining applications and unutilized permits.

MGB-8 director Roger De Dios said the head office in Manila has imposed a deadline to all regional offices–on Feb. 20 and in December this year–to clear all pending applications and permits that have not been used.

The MGB head office has already terminated more than 500 mining permits and applications that have remained inactive and incomplete in requirements, he said, adding that the DENR secretary's order is in line with the department's anti-corruption program.

De Dios, however failed to provide the names of the mining applicants or the number of pending mining applications in the region. He earlier told reporters though that applications of 37 mining firms for explorations in various parts of the region have been approved.

The DENR has carried out a "three-letter notice policy" on the applicants to comply with all application requirements, which means that when an applicant fails, after three notices from the MGB, the application would be denied or rejected.

Among the requirements for mining applications are: Free and Prior Informed Consent as certified by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP); NCIP Certificate of Non-Overlap within one year; and NCIP Certification Precondition (Compliance Certificate) within three years from the date of receipt by NCIP or pertinent letter-requests from MGB.

The applicant must also submit proofs of consultation with the local council within two years from the date of acceptance of the mining application, followed by the publication, posting, and radio announcement within one year from the date of acceptance.

Permit revocation includes all mining agreements for exploration, mineral production sharing agreement, and financial and technical assistance agreement, said De Dios.

Exploration contracts that have been expired for five years or more and mining contracts that have not implemented the 3-year work program for two consecutive years will also be revoked, he said. (FREEMAN)