MINING FIRMS MUST ALLOT 1.5 % OF OPERATION COSTS
TO SOCIAL AND TECHNOLOGY DEVT.- MGB

LEGAZPI CITY — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has recently issued Administrative Order (DAO) Number 2010-13 requiring large scale mining contractors, permit holders and lessees to allot annually funds equivalent to 1.5 percent of their mining operating costs to social and mining technology development, according to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) top regional official here.

DENR-MGB Bicol Director Reynulfo Juan explained that from the previous one percent (1%) as required earlier by Republic Act 7942 otherwise known as The Philippine Mining Act of 1995 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations, the recent increase assures mining communities of a bigger fund mandated by law to be set aside for their development to Social Development and Management Program (SDMP), mining technology, geosciences and Information, Education and Communication (IEC) programs.

Juan said that mining contractors, permit holders and lessees spent millions to be bankroll their mining operations and with the recent increase, they will have to shell out additional funds to effectively implement the aforementioned programs.

“In Bicol, there are three large scale mines with approved SDMPs, the Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project in Rapu-Rapu, Albay; Masbate Gold Project/Filminera Resources Corporation in Arorory, Masbate and Goodfound Cement Corporation/Ibalong Resources and Development Corporation in Camalig, Albay,” he noted.

SDMP promotes the general welfare of the inhabitants living in the host barangays where the mining area is located including those of the neighboring barangays through the construction, repair and maintenance of farm-to-market roads, water system, post harvest facilities, bridges, school buildings and electric power and funding for scholarship, health facilities and livelihood programs.

The development of mining technology and geosciences involve basic and applied research, advanced studies related to mining operations, environmental protection and mineral economics, among others.

Juan furthered that the fund also aims to institutionalize an IEC program for greater public awareness and understanding of responsible mining, mining operations, mining issues and concerns and education on mining technology and geosciences.

He averred that the order also provides for the apportionment of the fund, with the SDMP getting
75 percent of the 1.5 percent, 10 percent for the development of mining technology and geosciences and 35 percent for the implementation of the IEC program.

DAO 2013-13, dated May 5, 2010 and signed by the then DENR Sec. Horacio C. Ramos, amended Charter XIV on the development of mining communities, sciences and mining technology of DENR Administrative Order No. 96-40 or the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Philippine Mining Act of 1995. (DENR-MGB V/PIA/mal)

BFAR INVESTIGATES FISH KILL IN BUHI LAKE

Buhi, Camarines Sur — Some 100 metric tons of dead tilapia surfaced at Buhi Lake on Friday, October 29, due to oxygen depletion, according to the initial report of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) provincial office here.

Santi Noblefranca, BFAR Camarines Sur provincial chief, averred that the massive fish kill affected most tilapia inside the fish cages which were about to be harvested on November 1.

Buhi Mayor Rey Lacoste was saddened by the incident saying it would greatly affect the livelihood of his people whose main source of income is devoted to fishing.

According to Noblefranca, there could be four reasons for the occurrence of the fish kill; depletion of oxygen, presence of a pollutant or toxin, manifestation of natural toxin and disease.

“Of the four reasons, what is most probable is the depletion of oxygen due to the disturbance of water in the lake. This is also due to the incessant rainfall during the past weeks that might have triggered thermal stratification in the lake,” he said.

Noblefranca also said that the change of temperature from warm to cold and vice versa could have a fatal effect to the lives of fishes in the lake, resulting to their death before they can even be harvested.

Translated into monetary figures, the dead tilapia would account for more than Php5million of income that could have been earned by the fish cage operators.

Lake Buhi has a total area id 18 square kilometers and has an average depth of 8 meters. Aside from being a good breeding place for delicious telapia, it is also home to the world’s smallest commercially- harvested fish known as sinarapan. (LSMacatangay, PIA CamSur/mal)