THE municipality of Bakun in Benguet is waiting for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) clearance to be declared as Minahang Bayan (MB).

“Way back in 2009, they have complied with the requirements, so we have resubmitted that for Secretary’s clearance once cleared then PMRB can declare it as Minahang Bayan area,” declared Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB)-Cordillera regional director Fay Apil during the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board (PMRB) meeting on May 17.

Apil, who is also the co-chair of PMRB, noted some 200 hectares of the aggregated area in the municipality. Prior to Bakun’s application, the MGB have reviewed all the requirements which was compiled and endorsed to the secretary for clearance.

During the making of Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plan (ADSDPP), Bakun have segregated one for mining.

Pursuant to the law, Section 11 requires small scale mining (SSM) operations must be undertaken only within the declared MB or People’s Small-Scale Mining Areas.

The PMRB reported the conduct of field validation of the five parcels or clustered MB applications covering an aggregate area of 3,300 hectares over seven barangays of Itogon in Ampucao, Gumatdang, Loacan, Poblacion, Tuding, Ucab and Virac.

As of April 28, a total of 39 SSM association was validated in Itogon which are still subject to approval of the MGB added Benguet Federation of SSM President Lomino Kaniteng.

“We declare a MB area and all those who like to do SSM will only apply within those areas declared as MB. After MB, then we have individual or associations applying for SSM contracts which involves requirements,” Apil added.

Requirements include the priority be given to residents, preparation of mining plans, environmental plans and social development plans while a royalty pay to the owner if the contract area falls within a private lot said the regional director.

The MB applications are still undergoing validation and still must undergo Free Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) and Environmental Compliance Certificate.

“FPIC, this is one requirement took long time according to NCIP but for them it will require full blown FPIC members of the board requests if they are members of the IPs within those ancestral domains anyway they will be giving consent to themselves why not make it simplified,” she added.

However, the simplified process is not within the implementing rules and regulations of NCIP. Apil added the NCIP may further look into administrative order to that effect.