SAGOT SA MANDATO: Mining Act-linked admin order to undergo possible review and revision by MGB

A proposed measure to combat red tape in the mining industry will undergo review and revisions under Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Director Atty. Wilfredo G. Moncano.

MGB Department of Environment and Natural Resources Administrative Order (DAO) No. 2010-21 pertains to the revised rules and regulations for RA 7942, also known as the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, specifically in Section 8 of the law where the roles of local government units in dealing and handling mining projects are determined and discussed.

Moncano’s directive is in response of the mandate given in the RA 11032, signed May 28 last year, which amends the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007 and be renamed to “Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018”.

MGB decision aims to eliminate inconvenience in business transactions in the mining industry through evaluation of regulatory framework and requirements for the securing mining rights, as well as more simplified procedures for the mining applicants, contractors, permittee, or permit holders.

An upcoming workshop of MGB with a tentative date set around April is where the said DAO No. 2010-21 review and revision will take place. Personnel of the Mining Tenements Division and the Legal Service Division of MGB and their counterparts in the Regional Offices (ROs) are expected to participate.

In the meantime, ROs are currently consulted by MGB for issues, comments, and suggestions for the mechanics and outlines of the said workshop by the bureau.