BAGUIO CITY – The provincial government of Apayao, through the leadership of Governor Elias C. Bulut Jr. as the co-chairperson of the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board Meeting Apayao, held a PMRB meeting at the Lafayette Luxury Suite, Baguio City, on February 26, 2025.
The meeting resulted in the approval and awarding of four small scale mining contracts of declared Minahang Bayan of Conner, Apayao.
Regional Executive Director, Engr. Paquito T. Moreno of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Cordillera, as well as Regional Director and Chairperson of PMRB Apayao Fay W. Apil from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and Regional Director Jean Borromeo of the Environment Management Bureau (EMB) deliberated and weighed the merits of the approved contracts. It is said that the items in the contracts are expected to enhance mining operations while ensuring adherence to environmental standards.
With a total of six contracts in place, Apayao province now has the most approved small-scale mining contracts in the Cordillera. This new development proves its dedication to promoting responsible mining and engaging local communities through sustainable economic development.
Moreno highlighted the importance of the responsibilities accompanying these new contracts, emphasizing the necessity for contractors to adhere to the terms and conditions specified.
“The contract are great responsibility coming from the contractors to abide and comply with their terms and condition of their contracts at the same time for concern government agencies to monitor the compliance of the Environment Compliance Certificate (ECC) and to see to it that the product of this Minahang Bayan outreach will end up being sold at legitimate or accredited buying station for most of it is the Central Bank of the Philippines,” he added.
Additionally, Apil expressed her gratitude to the provincial government for its continued support to small scale mining.
The Minahang Bayan Program, which seeks to grant small-scale miners legal access to mining rights, is intended to make mining safer and more organized, ultimately enhancing the livelihood prospects of residents in Conner and the surrounding communities.
While Apayao seeks to become the leader in sustainable mining in the region, effective execution of these contracts will become a model for other provinces aimed to reconcile natural resource extraction and environmental conservation that it establishes its singular role as one of the Philippines’ Biosphere Reserves. By Joyce Arian Soria
