BONTOC, Mountain Province – The Provincial Mining Regulatory Board here conducted a capacity building and deputation training to relevant personnel from local government units and agencies on mining laws and procedures on apprehension, seizure, and disposition of confiscated products held at the Bayle Hometel, Caluttit, Bontoc on June 10, 2025.
With the theme, “Strengthening Legal Enforcement Against Illegal Mining Activities,” the activity was facilitated and funded by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau- Cordillera Administrative Region (MGB-CAR) and was participated in by personnel from the Philippine National Police, Barangay Local Government Units, Municipal Local Government Units, Environment and Natural Resources Offices, and permittees.
The activity aims to reinforce the understanding of the participants on national mining laws, particularly the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 (RA 7492) and relevant Department of Environment and Natural Resources administrative orders and Cordillera-specific regulations governing mineral resources extraction and transport. It also intends to deputize qualified participants from concerned agencies and local government units, granting them legal authority to assist in the enforcement of mining and environmental laws and at the same time, to standardize procedures for the apprehension, seizure, and disposition of confiscated products and conveyances following the legal guidelines and due process.
During the opening program, Executive Assistant Ernesto Bondad, representing Gov. Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr. joined the participants and emphasized a holistic and inter-agency approach to the protection of the environment. He urged the participants to ensure that environmental and social considerations are integrated into the entire mining process in the province.
Meanwhile, the activity’s resource people were MGB-CAR Information Officer Sheila May V. Sanqui, MGB-CAR Legal Officer Ma Desiree Zan L. Lud-ayen, and Engineers Santiago M. Bugnosen, Brent Pagteilan, and Philip Carl B. Sagayo, also from the MGB-CAR.
The speakers emphasized the importance of several key elements of responsible mining like environmental protection, social responsibility, economic viability, and adherence to regulation.
The participants were also clarified on their specific mandates to further strengthen interagency collaboration to ensure clear roles and coordination between government offices, law enforcers, and stakeholders in addressing illegal mining activities. With this, the participants were equipped with operational knowledge and practical tools, including enforcement protocols, documentation practices, and reporting mechanisms for effective field implementation.
Further, an open forum enabled the participants to share local experiences, enforcement challenges, and best practices for promoting legal and responsible mining in the province. By MP-PIO
