BAGUIO CITY – The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) recently authorized regional directors of the agency to realign the unutilized funds from Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) of mining companies within their areas of jurisdiction to support affected impact and non-impact communities from the dreaded Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pursuant to the pertinent provisions of Republic Act (RA) 11469 or the Bayanihan To Heal As One Act.
The MGB Memorandum stated that the summary of accomplishment of the realignment of SDMP funds for Social Amelioration has been previously updated where the budget for the same had been increased allowing MGB regional offices and mining companies to reach more people in need of assistance during the implementation of the extended Luzonwide enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
Although ongoing concerns have been experienced, such as difficulty in getting supplies due to alleged shortage; delayed relief good mobilization and strict area access, through joint efforts of the MGB and the mining companies, all the reported required supplies have been provided to almost all of the targeted frontliners and various households across the country.
Because of the continuous efforts done by the MGB and the different mining companies in the different parts of the country, more than half of the budget allocated to national aid had been utilized well.
The initiative of the MGB and the mining companies also complies with Section 136-E of DENR Administrative Order No. 2010-21 or the consolidated implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act (RA) 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.
MGB and the mining industry will ensure to live the spirit of service through active participation in helping to ensure the welfare of those most affected during these trying times and emergency situations.
The Philippine Mining Act mandated mining companies operating in the different parts of the country to allocate a portion of their operating and milling cost for SDMP projects that will be determined, planned, programmed and implemented upon consultations with the people living in the host and neighboring communities where priority will be given to projects related to health, education, livelihood, infrastructure among others that will translate to the overall growth and development of the communities within the mining areas.
Aside from the projects that will be funded through the SDMP of mining companies, local governments hosting the operation of mining companies also get a she from the national wealth tax and real property and business taxes being paid by the aforesaid companies that help spur the growth and development of the communities.
Under the law, mining companies are mandated to submit to the MGB regular reports on the utilization of the SDMP funds and the status of the projects that have been identified by the people living in the host and neighboring communities that will serve as one of the basis in assessing the contributions of mining companies in helping spur the growth and development of their host and neighboring communities.
By HENT