The Department of Energy (DOE) is overhauling the country’s Small-Scale Coal Mining (SSCM) Program to make it more transparent, structured, and environmentally responsible as part of efforts to modernize coal resource development.
Through its Energy Resource Development Bureau (ERDB) and Coal and Nuclear Minerals Division, the DOE recently held a public consultation to gather stakeholder feedback on a draft Department Circular that will update SSCM regulations first introduced in 1987.
The proposed revisions address Indigenous Peoples’ rights, environmental and social safeguards, and streamlined permitting procedures, while also setting clearer rules for permit compliance, suspension, and termination.
DOE Undersecretary Alessandro O. Sales, joined by DOE-VFO Director Renante M. Sevilla and DOE-MFO Director Nilo J. Geroche, led the consultation and said the reform “marks a new beginning for SSCM,” thus emphasizing the need to update policy with current sustainability standards and stakeholder input.
The consultation also featured an Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign on Department Circular No. DC2025-09-0016, which covers the handling, transport, storage, and distribution of coal. The new rules introduce stricter provisions for health, safety, labor, and environmental protection in coal-related operations.
Participants were briefed on measures for dust and emission control, spill and fire prevention, and emergency preparedness, along with requirements for environmental documentation.
The DOE said these updates aim to enhance compliance, protect communities, and ensure responsible use of resources, thus reaffirming its commitment to sustainable energy development.
How can updated coal mining regulations help balance energy needs with environmental protection in the Philippines?
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