The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has launched a Mobile One-Stop Shop in T’boli, South Cotabato, with the goal of bringing government services closer to small-scale miners and supporting their transition to formal and regulated operations.
The two-day activity, held from March 25 to 26, forms part of efforts to strengthen the formalization of small-scale mining by simplifying access to permits, regulatory guidance, and support services.
More than 200 small-scale miners attended the first day of the program. They availed of consultations, orientation sessions, and assistance on compliance requirements.
Through the initiative, multiple government agencies and local government units set up service booths to provide on-site support. Participating agencies included the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Labor and Employment, Environmental Management Bureau, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Securities and Exchange Commission, Land Bank of the Philippines, as well as local and provincial government offices.
The program is anchored in Republic Act No. 7076, or the Small-Scale Mining Act, which seeks to promote, regulate, and protect small-scale mining activities while also ensuring environmental protection, safety, and social equity. It also supports the processing of Small-Scale Mining (SSM) contracts, including proposed interim agreements that allow miners to operate legally while completing full regulatory requirements.
Assistant Secretary for Mining Concerns Michael V. Cabalda said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to supporting small-scale miners.
“The concerns of small-scale miners are being heard and addressed,” Cabalda said, noting that authorities are taking steps to continuously assist the sector.
MGB OIC-Director Larry M. Heradez also emphasized the importance of the program, describing it as “a significant step toward enabling the sector to reach its full potential and gain wider recognition in the mining industry.”
The second day of the activity will include the awarding of Interim Small-Scale Mining Contracts and a gold-buying activity, aimed at integrating miners into the formal economy and providing legitimate channels for trade.
The MGB said the Mobile One-Stop Shop will be rolled out in other provinces and regions as part of its broader effort to strengthen governance, promote responsible mining, and improve access to government services for small-scale miners.
How effective can initiatives like this be in transitioning small-scale miners into the formal economy?
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