BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — Two more Minahang Bayan applications in the Cordillera region are cleared by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and are due for declaration.
Engr. Alfredo Genetiano of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau – Cordillera Administrative Region said these will be declared by the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board of Apayao, chaired by MGB-CAR Director Fay Apil.
“Meron na tayong magiging lucky number 13 (Minahang Bayans),” he said.
There are currently 11 approved Minahang Bayan in the region. The latest Minahang Bayan declared was on January 2022.
Two MBs were declared in 2009, two in 2020, and six in 2021. These are the Olivia Catral, Manuel Canipas, Bulawan Land Owners Association, and Paul Delwasen in Apayao; Ag-agit Small Scale Mining and Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Abra; Loacan Itogon Pocket Miners Association, Bagtangan-Goldstar Small Scale Miners Association, Benguet Federation of Small Scale Miners Association Inc., and the Federation of Taneg Indigenous Communities Livelihood Association in Benguet; Northern Sagada Barangay Small Mining Association in Mountain Province, and the Giuna-ang Tribe Indigenous People Cultural Community in Kalinga.
Genetiano said that the pandemic did not stop the operation of these minahang bayan through the consolidated efforts of concerned agencies and offices.
Small mining operations are allowed by the government only within declared Minahang Bayan.
The MGB continues to encourage small scale miners to legitimize their operations by applying for Minahang Bayan. **JDP/DEG-PIA CAR
