DENR says moratorium on mining permits still in force

LEGAZPI CITY, December 9 (PIA) -- The moratorium on the issuance of new mining permits remains in force until such time that planned reforms in the mining sector are put in place, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) regional office here.

Engr. Luis Loyola of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of DENR V said Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje made the clarification following news reports stating that the DENR has already lifted the mining moratorium it has imposed early this year as it moved to cleanse the mines bureau of ageing mining applications using the “use it or lose it” policy.

The cleansing, using the “use it or lose it” policy means cancellation of mining applications that were unable to comply with all the requirements set by the government through the MGB.

Loyola, relaying Paje's instruction, explained that the DENR has not lifted the moratorium on the processing and issuance of new mining permits and no new mining permit has been issued as the DENR is committed to address first the increasing concerns aired by various sectors, including local government units, on the environmental and social impacts of mining.

The processing of industrial sand and gravel permit applications, however, has been resumed pursuant to Memorandum Circular No. 14 dated October 11, 2011 when the Department of Public Works and Highways brought to the attention of the DENR that sand and gravel are basic items/ materials for construction activities.

It will be recalled that earlier this year, the DENR ordered all the MGB regional offices nationwide to cleanse 50 percent of their pending and inactive mining applications by February 20, 2011 and June 30, 2011 for the remaining 50 percent.

Before the end of June 30, the MGB had successfully completed its drive to cleanse its records and its accomplishment reached over the targeted number or 195 mining applications out of the 194 actual target applications regionwide.

Nationwide, MGB V, together with MGB regional offices in regions I, VII, VIII, X, and XII were able to meet their targets in terms of physical 100 percent accomplishment. (MAL-DENR/MGB V)

Fisherfolk’s kids in Bicol receive scholarship from BFAR

PILI, Camarines Sur, December 9 (PIA) -- Ten lucky and deserving students from different localities in Bicol region passed the Fisherfolk Children Examination given by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) last September 17, 2011 held at the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture in here.

Passers include Regine C. Oco of Minalabac, Camarines Sur; Danica B. Casabueno of Tabaco City; Cybel L. Dialogo of Cabusao, Camarines Sur; Maritoni C. Borromio of Tabaco City; Jennelyn S. Vargas of Nabua, Camarines Sur; Shiela Mae R. Abarientos of Cabusao, Camarines Sur; Maoelyn L. Aguilar of Cabusao, Camarines Sur; Naisy B. Balingbing of Malilipot, Albay; John Rex C. Balino of Caramoran, Catanduanes and; Salvador S.A. Taduran Jr. of Buhi, Camarines Sur.

Regional director Dennis del Socorro of BFAR V said the awardees will enjoy a full scholarship grant for college studies leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Fisheries or other related course with free matriculation and other school fees, monthly stipend, semestral book allowance, thesis support and graduation support from the BFAR-Fisheries Industry Development Support Division.

They may enroll in the nearest fishery school in their area and must maintain a scholastic standing of a general weighted average not lower than 2.75 until completion of the 4-year course.

Since 1994, BFAR conducts a biennial qualifying exam under its Fisherfolk Children Educational Grant. This program aims to assist talented and deserving children of poor small-scale fisherfolk in the pursuit of higher education for their socio-economic improvement.

Qualified to the grant is a high school graduate or 4th year graduating student who is a son/daughter of bonafide small-scale fisherfolk, of not more than 20 years old, not presently enrolled in any course and has a general weighted average of not lower than 80 percent. The family’s annual gross income must not be more than P 25,000. Parents must be a member of a fishing association/cooperative duly attested by the chairman and secretary of the association. And he or she must be a resident of the municipality for at least four years.

The passers of the 2011 Fisherfolk Scholarship Grant Competitive Examination are the 6th batch of BFAR-Bicol’s scholars. (MAL/KHilotin, BFAR V)


Virac, Bato sign sisterhood pact with Makati City
by Edna A Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, December 9(PIA)-- The towns of Virac and Bato here signed sisterhood agreements last November 23, 2011 at the Makati City Hall with Makati.

Present during the signing of the separate memorandum of agreement (MOA) were Bato Mayor Eulogio Rodriguez and Virac Mayor Jose Alberto II with the members of their respective Sangguniang Bayan and Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay Jr.

The MOA will strengthen the friendship ties and mutual understanding of the local government units through exchanges in Science and Technology, Culture and Arts, Tourism, Planning and Urban Development, Commerce and Trade and Industry, Education and Sports Development, Environmental Protection, Public Health and Social Services, and other concerns.

The said towns will also benefit from the sisterhood with regards to the expected assistance from Binay which includes donation of books and multicab, scholarship grants at the University of Makati for the indigent students, calamity assistance, training programs for local officials, and on-the-job observation tours of best practices at the city of Makati to share he best practices.(MAL/EAB, PIACatanduanes)

Training/workshop on integrated coastal management in Camarines Norte

by Rosalita Base-Manlangit

DAET, Camarines Norte, December 9 (PIA) –- For the effective planning, development, and implementation of programs to protect the natural resources especially in the coastal areas, a two- day training/workshop on integrated coastal management (ICM) for the 12 municipalities was conducted December 8-9 by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) here.

The training aims to discuss and build consensus on the organizational arrangement for the development and implementation of ICM plan and the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders.

Provincial Environment and Natural Resources officer Elpidio Orata said that the outcome of the ICM should be implemented by the local government units being the frontliners in the municipalities.

He also said that there are already existing laws and ordinances to protect the coastal areas especially the mangrove areas in the locality.

Governor Edgardo Tallado, represented by Roma Ilustre said that he supports the program on ICM and he is aware on the abuse of the environment not only here but also in other parts of the country.

The provincial government is continuous in its advocacy not only on illegal fishing but also on education, illegal mining, and illegal drugs in the province, Ilustre stated.

One of the topics discussed during the training is the Executive Order 533 adopting the integrated coastal management as a national strategy to ensure the sustainable development of the country’s coastal and marine environment and resources and establishing supporting mechanisms.

The activity was attended by the municipal agriculture officer (MAO), municipal environment national resources officer (MENRO), or the councilor committee on Environment of the 12 municipalites of the province, together with the provincial government counterparts, representatives, and heads of the Coastguard, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Philippine Information Agency(PIA). (MAL/RBM, PIA Camarines Norte).