ILOILO City – The procedures and requirements of the law regulating mining in Western Visayas were made clearer in a seminar at the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) headquarters in Barangay Barrio Obrero, La Paz district earlier this month.
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region 6 conducted the seminar, which explained the provisions of the Mining Act of 1995 and its implementing rules and regulations.
The participants were PCG personnel from its Western Visayas District.
Engineer Ronald Villamora, chief of MGB’s Social Development Section, presented the law in a way relevant to the regulatory functions of the PCG whose members are assigned at different stations and detachments in Western Visayas.
The PCG personnel were most interested in understanding the authority of the MGB in the administration and disposition of mineral lands and resources, and how the PCG could assist in ensuring that the regulatory provisions of the mining law are strictly enforced.
They also raised questions to clarify the provisions covering the transport of minerals/mineral products and confiscation, seizure and disposition of illegally-sourced minerals/mineral products, and the necessary documents that must be presented during the transport of minerals and mineral products.
Aside from these, Villamora also presented the mining stages and processes, different types of mining contracts, agreements and permits, and the mandatory requirements before a mining contract or permit is approved.
PCG Training Staff SN2 Radzmin Dompol said the MGB gave them informative lectures and answers during the seminar. (With MGB, DENR Region 6/PN)
