Minahang Bayan seen with small scale mining measure

April 15, 2017 Provincial

LA TRINIDAD, BENGUET – A measure establishing the framework for small scale mining operations is seen to  pave the way for the establishment of a Minahang Bayan.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan committee on mining and energy chaired by Board Member Apolinario Camsol crafted an ordinance establishing the framework for the operation of small scale mining and quarrying in the province which is up for second reading.
Camsol hopes the proposed ordinance if acted upon will benefit the small scale miners. By then they will be working out for their own Minahang Bayan, he added.
Among the pertinent provisions of the local measure are the need for prior approval of two sanggunian bodies, procedure in the application  for small scale mining  and quarrying contract, transport of mineral/s products, seizure and disposition of illegally sourced mineral products, imposition of local taxes and administrative fees, adverse claims, protests and oppositions, fines, prohibitions and penalties.
Republic Act 7076 or the People’s Small-scale Mining Act of 1991 provides that small-scale mining operations shall be undertaken only within the declared people’s small-scale mining areas or Minahang Bayan. It also incorporates a provision on contractors’ obligation on the payment of taxes.
So far, there is no Minahang Bayan declared in Benguet where there are about 30,000 small scale miners with their families. PIA- Benguet / ABN