THE governor's permit holders forum and signing of memorandum of agreements (MOA) between the provincial government, Environment Management Bureau (EMB), Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Negros Occidental Miners Permittees' Association Inc. (Nompai) will be held in Bacolod City today, April 12.

The forum aims to provide permit holders an opportunity to gather together and learn from various national government agencies like the DENR, EMB and MBG the new and relevant policies affecting the sand and gravel industry.

MGB’s devolved functions on the issuances and processing of Certificate of Environmental Management and Community Relations Record (CEMCRR) and the Social Development Management Plan (SDMP) will also be discussed.

Issues and concerns of sand and gravel business permit holders in the province will also be discussed with the representatives from the Provincial Environment Management Office (Pemo)

Nompai, the representative of the miners to the Mine Rehabilitation Fund Committee (MRHFC) and the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board, is also expected to lay down its accomplishments and future plans.

Funded by the MRHFC, the activity will also focus on improving and strengthening further its system and initiatives to achieve a more effective implementation and monitoring of environmental programs by mining contracts and permit holders, specifically the guarantee fund collectively known as the Contingent Liability Rehabilitation Fund, a statement from the provincial government said.

Meanwhile, the signing of the MOA will be led by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, Engineer Raul Laput of the MGB, among others.

A total of 180 Holders of Governor's Permit on sand and gravel and quarry resources in the province are expected to attend the activity that will also be participated by the regional directors from concerned agencies. (PR)