DENR SET TO DECLARE MORE MINERAL RESERVATIONS

LEGAZPI CITY — Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje has directed the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) to identify more mineralized areas throughout the country for possible declaration into mineral reservations.

Paje said the move to declare additional mineral reservations is to provide equitable access to mineral resources and to generate additional non-tax revenue for the government.

“Currently, the government gets only 2% share of gross sale from mining operations in areas covered by mining agreements in the form of the excise tax. The government, however, will get additional 5% in royalties if the mining operations are held in declared mineral reservation areas, for a total of 7%,” Paje said.

Section 5 of the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 or R.A. 7942 provides that “when national interest so requires, such as when there is a need to preserve strategic raw material for industries critical to national development, or certain minerals for scientific, cultural ecological value, the President may establish mineral reservations upon the recommendation of the Director of the MGB through the DENR Secretary.”

Paje said there are currently nine mineral reservations throughout the country located in Ilocos Norte, Zambales, Bulacan, Camarines Sur, Samar Island, Surigao del Norte, Compostela Valley, Zamboanga del Norte, and all offshore areas throughout the country. (DENR V/PIA/mal)