MGB DIRECTOR MONCANO SCORES “DELAYS” IN THE ISSUANCE OF ECC, TREE CUTTING PERMITS, NCIP CERTIFICATIONS

May 1, 2022 Headlines

BAGUIO CITY – The mining industry plays a vital role in our country’s economic development – the industry provides employment opportunities and generate earnings through export.
Mining applications like Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA), land use, and Free and Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) were among the top issues and concerns raised during the Mining Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum for Cordillera Administrative (CAR) and Ilocos regions held on Thursday (April 28) here.
Lawyer Wilfredo Moncano, Director of Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) led other central officials of the agency including host Regional Directors Fay Apil and Socrates Gaerlan of MGB Cordillera and Ilocos, respectively, in clarifying
government policies, rules, and regulations of the mining industry and addressed several issues and concerns presented by the stakeholders (metallic and non-metallic) during the one-day marathon forum, leading to economic recovery brought by the pandemic.
Director Moncano said this latest mining stakeholders’ consultative forum, the 12th to be undertaken nationwide is related to the 20 – year Philippine Mineral Industry Roadmap, aimed at strengthening investor confidence, increasing production, safeguarding the environment through responsible mining, and developing local mineral processing.
In an exclusive interview midway through the forum, Director Moncano said, this “holistic” approach by the government would resolve issues (in one sitting), admitting the fact that regulatory bodies’ incurred delays in approving mining applications, especially on priority projects.
Regarding priority mining projects in the Cordillera as presented by the stakeholders, Moncano observed “delays” in the issuance of Environmental Compliance Certificates (ECC) and tree cutting permits.
“And what struck me most was the issue of National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).. pabalik-balik na lang.” Moncano lamented.
On the part of NCIP-Cordillera, its representative Arthur Herman said: “We look positive at the involvement of mining investors in Cordillera but the only thing we suggest is the compliance of FPIC.. this is the cause of the many problems as far mining operations is a concern.”
“Without the FPIC, mining companies should not be allowed to operate as is imposed by law. But of course, we should not escape the fact that there are companies that would like to evade the FPIC, and they continue to do so by filing cases in court,” Herman said
“We will see this in the coming months and years as part of their legal tactics,” the NCIP-CAR representative added.
Also present in the forum where I was representatives from government line agencies including DAR, DILG, and DENR.
Among the representatives of the mining companies who actively presented their concerns include —Cordillera: Rolando Ursua, administrative officer of Lepanto Mines, Eric Andal, Eric Andal, Vice President-Geology & Exploration for Apex Mining Co.., Inc. a, among others; and Alma Kho, Vice President & GM of Omnico Natural Resources, Inc in Ilocos.
MGB 1 RD Socrates Gaerlan for his part believed that in Ilocos and Cordillera Administrative, innovation is the key that will drive our nation to achieve inclusive growth and development.”
“Our mission as stewards of the country’s mineral resources… committed to the promotion of sustainable mineral resources development,” Gaerlan added.
Primo Agatep/ABN