POCKET MINERS WELCOME MGB’S CALL ON LARGE MINING TO SPREAD SAFETY SKILLS

November 25, 2023 Provincial

BENGUET

Pocket miners in the Cordillera region has welcomed Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) move urging large mining companies to share their expertise on safety, environment as well as social
development. Several artisanal and small – scale mining associations were reacting on Mines and
Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Director Danilo Uykieng recent statement that training small-scale miners in the field of safety, health, and environmental is covered by the Social Development Management Program (SDMP) by large mining companies.

Uykieng made such calls at the sideline of the Mine Safety Week activities recently held in Baguio City. ‘’Starting next year we will implement safety, health and environmental protection program for small-scale miners,’ Uykieng stressed. The SSM groups also expressed its gratitude to Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA) for its intention to include them on safety drills during the annual safety and environmental week.

In fact, in a recent press forum, Louie Sarmiento, president PMSEA ,vowed to include SSM groups in future PMSEA activities especially on its annual safety week events. MGB-Cordillera Regional
Director Fay Apil, who reported that large mining companies in the region are compliant on safety
standards, pointed that the Province of Benguet conduct mining and environmental summit for small-scale mining groups. Local pocket miners appreciate the province efforts, however, they are requesting that in future mining summit, their environmental protection efforts such as tree planting, clean up drive as well as other social projects must also be highlighted.

Primo Agatep/ABN