TWO SMALL-SCALE MINING CONTRACTS IN APAYAO SET FOR APPROVAL

March 30, 2024 Provincial

BAGUIO CITY

Two smallscale mining contracts (SSMC) applications are awaiting for approval, according to Mines and Geoscience
Bureau- Cordillera (MGB-CAR). Fay Apil, regional director MGB-CAR, identified these SSMC applicants –YCalanasan Minahang Bayan Association and Bulawan Land Owners Small-Scale Mining Association,all located in
Calanasa (Apayao). Once approved, it brings to four approved SSMC in Cordillera Region. Apil said only minor concerns are being finalized before its approval.

To date, 13 Minahang Bayan (MB) have been approved in the region. It was learned that in the last few months , applicants for MB have dramatically decreased in the region. Earlier , the number of applicants recorded was as high as 24. The ‘nagging’ issues and complains in resolving cases by the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) and many government requirements-regulations ,to the extent some ‘conflicting, topped the lack of concern by applicants to process.

Primo Agatep /ABN