SAND, quarry and gravel permit holders and applicants in Capiz underwent a writeshop, July 21, to ease the processing of their application.
Ther Mines and Geosciences Development Writeshop on basic technical knowledge on the preparation of required technical work and environmental programs as required on quarry, sand and gravel permit applications was organized by the Capiz Provincial Environment and natural resources Office (CaPENRO).
Resource persons from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Regional Office 6 shared their technical knowledge and expertise to permit holders and applicants in the province via Zoom video-conferencing platform.
Mine Management Division chief Engr. Florian D. Jimenez discussed the technical aspects of a work program for quarry and sand and gravel projects, requirements and procedures when applying for a permit.
He noted that pursuant to EMB MC 2020-27, the volume to be extracted shall be based on the geological assessment of the resources in the river and MGB gives inputs to Capiz sand, gravel permittees the projected replenishment rate over time based on the technical report of the geologist or mining engineer.
Meanwhile, Engr. Ronald Villamora, Chief of the Social Development Section of MGB 6, discussed the details of preparing an Environment Protection and Enhancement Program, a requirement when applying for an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) for sand and gravel and quarry permits.
He stressed that mining proponents must be responsible, accountable, and committed to implement necessary mitigation and rehabilitation measures to safeguard the immediate and surrounding environment against the adverse impacts of mining/quarrying activities.
CaPENRO, led by lawyer Emilyn Arboleda-Depon, took the initiative of holding the writeshop to equip permit holders with technical knowledge and practical guide in meeting their responsibility of protecting, conserving, and rehabilitating the environment by following “environmental safeguards” as they carry out their respective extraction projects.
During the writeshop, Depon encouraged the permit holders to comply with the requirements and conditions specified in their respective permits in order to minimize the environmental damage brought about by their extraction activities.
She said that by providing technical support to their permit holders can help lessen the risks of mining activities and would ensure the observance of environmental policies and rehabilitation measures. (PIA-6)
