The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has expressed its support in a proposed bill making Baguio a mining-free zone, which was filed by Baguio Representative Mark Go.
House Bill (HB) 5619 would effectively ban all mining activities in the city, including small-scale mining and quarrying with all exploration permits and licenses, as reported in a Sunstar article.
Small-scale mining contracts will be immediately revoked, while existing small-scale mining operations will be given a year to close their operations and conduct all rehabilitation and reforestation efforts needed.
Former President Carlos Garcia gave Baguio City two mineral reservations, which excludes them from the Baguio Townsite Reservation.
Within the Baguio Townsite Reservation are the 380-hectare area in villages Laokan Apugan, Atok Trail and Kias
Go has earlier appealed to the MGB for the creation of a list of areas where mining could be feasible.
Go filed the resolution to address the continuing geohazards and environmental threats in the City.
