MGB-CAR URGES LGU’S TO GRANT PERMITS TO COMMERCIAL SAND, GRAVEL OPERATORS

February 26, 2022 Headlines

BAGUIO CITY- Mines and Geosciences Bureau-Cordillera Regional Director Fay Apil urged Local Government Units (LGU) to grant permits to commercial sand and gravel businesses.
Regional Director Apil said that her agency noted that local leaders are not so mindful of permits to commercial sand and gravel which revenues derived from it contributes to the local economy.
“Napapansin naming ang daming kontrata sa build-build program ng national government, at hindi masyado binibigyan ng pansin ng mga local government sa pagbibigay ng permits sa sand and gravel, not knowing that the income it derived especially with the implementation of Mandanas Law, malaking tulong sa ekonomiya nila,” Apil said.
“Pinupukpuk naming talaga ang mga LGUs. Ang daming extraction ng sand and gravel that’s why they should appreciate,” Apil said who led
other MGB officials in the PIA sponsored “Kapihan” press forum held on Monday (Feb.21) at the agency’s multi-purpose hall.
Apil pointed out that sand and gravel permits are given by provincial governors with the help of the Provincial Mining and Regulatory Board (PMRB).
By law, the share of the local government derived from the extraction of sand and gravel are broken down into— 40 percent goes to barangay while municipal and the province each has 30 percent share.
In 2020, an estimated P12 Million extraction fees were collected by local government units. In a related development, Apil reported that the local mining industry paid a total of P1.08 billion in the form of taxes and fees as its contribution to the regional economy.
Mining exports posted a total of 186 Million US-dollar while a total of P1.86 Billion was poured in (mining) investments which generated a total of 6,251 jobs ( Males 5,752; Females-507).
Based on MGB-CAR’s 2020 Mineral Profile: Gross Output on Metallic–Copper -47.996DMT(Dry Metric Tons) valued at P2.9 Billion; Gold- 2541 Kg at P7.16 Billion at P7.16 Billion; and Silver-4,032 Kg. P133 Million.
And for Non-Metallic—Sand and Gravel 322,234 Cu.M. (cubic meters) at P48.4 Million; Limestone-8,003 MT (metric tons) at P3.9 Million; Slakelime 449 MT at P2.9 Million; and Quiclime-7.072 MT at P80 Million.
Furthermore, some P446.5 Million were poured for the Implementation of Environment and Enhancement Program (EPEP) and Final Mine Rehabilitation and Decommissioning Plan (FMRDP) including the P137 Million from Philex Mines Corp.
Moreover, some P164 Million for Social Development and Management Program.
Meanwhile, representatives from the different mining firms (large-scale) namely Philex Mining Corp; Benguet Corp.; Lepanto Mines, and Itogon-Suyoc Mines were in unison welcomed the lifting of the ban in open mining.
Lawyer Eduard Aratas of Philex reiterated the earlier pronouncement of their company’s Board Chairman Manuel Pangilinan welcoming the lifting of the ban on open-pit mining.
Aratas added that their “company’s new policy now will not push through open-pit mining because it’s not pro-environment.” He said its mining operation is guided on the best practice, especially in Benguet wherein it shall operate on the underground method of mining.
For Benguet Corp (the first and oldest mining company), represented by lawyer Froilan Lawilao said: “ the lifting of the ban is a welcome development so long on our part will strictly adhere to safety and environmental protection.”
Primo Agatep/ABN