The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Tuesday said it is planning to register small-scale miners and create an organization for them to formalize their operations.
“We’re looking to register small scale miners, individually, at first, followed by the establishment of a loose organization as the foundation for a more formal association,” DENR Undersecretary Carlos Primo David said in a statement.
“Sort of like a cooperative towards a Minahang Bayan registration,” he added.
The Minahang Bayan was established in April 2015 after the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the People’s Small-Scale Mining Act of 1991 was revised.
Small-scale miners must organize themselves into cooperatives and ensure that they have the technical capability and the financial resources to conform to the tax and structural requirements.
The DENR said President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in 2022 issued directives to its officials to legalize small-scale mining operations.
“Gusto natin ma-legalize ang mga small-scale mining firms kasi madami sa kanila illegal, kaya walang protection ang mga minero,” Marcos said.
(We want to legalize small-scale mining firms because a lot of them were illegal, therefore the miners do not have protection.)
“Gusto nating palakasin ang regulatory framework para maka-operate sila ng legal, upang mabigyan ang ating minero ng assistance at protection para sa ligtas nilang pagtatrabaho,” he added.
(We want to strengthen the regulatory framework so that they can legally operate and we can give our miners assistance and protection.)
Many small-scale miners are operating illegally and do not have proper protection, according to the DENR.
David said legal recognition will help ensure adequate support and safety protocols for small-scale miners.
With the People’s Small-Scale Mining Act of 1991, the government will provide social assistance, labor protection, and assistance programs for small-scale miners, the DENR said.
Through its Geospatial Database Office, the DENR said it can monitor possible illegal mining operations using satellite imagery and Geographic Information System. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA Integrated News
