The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Mines and Geosciences Bureau (DENR-MGB) has conferred the City Mining Regulatory Board (CMRB) of Puerto Princesa City as the top-performing CMRB in Mimaropa region in promoting innovation in its operations.
MGB Regional Director Glenn Marcelo C. Noble acknowledged Puerto Princesa City CMRB as among the best performing in the region in recognition of its effort in promoting innovation in its operations as he urged them to continue working on their functions and accomplish well as their valuable share in achieving sustainable development in the industry.
The award is conferred to the P/CMRB with exemplary contributions and accomplishments, the rating and evaluation of which is based on a merit/ demerit point system of the performance criteria.
The approval of applications for mining permits not exceeding five hectares and enforcement of small-scale mining laws are among the DENR-MGB’s functions devolved to local government units (LGUs) with P/CMRBs as the LGU’s regulatory arm. These functions are provided under Republic Act 7942 also known as the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) under Department Administrative Order (DAO) No.
Atty. Carlo B. Gomez, the City ENR Officer said that the innovations made by CMRB- Puerto Princesa have been key in achieving such recognition. He also congratulated the City ENRO’s Mines and Geosciences Division and its staff, led by Environmental Management Specialist II, Engr. Charilyn Manas for instituting innovations in their operations and enforcement of small-scale mining laws.
He said that the CMRB and its stakeholders have been instrumental in extending help to a substantial number of families whose houses were totally damaged by Typhoon Odette on December 17, 2021. The CMRB through its sand and gravel permittees in the city has been involved in the House Rebuilding Project of the City ENRO in partnership with the Palawan Geographic Society (PGS) and other partner agencies and organizations.
Puerto Princesa association of quarry permittees extended their important contribution to the House Rebuilding Project by hauling these uprooted and felled trees and bringing them to the barangay centers, where City ENRO mobile chainsaw processed them into lumber.
The project has turned uprooted and felled trees into proper use, by rebuilding 100 totally damaged houses and benefiting a substantial number of families affected by Typhoon Odette in four barangays namely Maoyon, San Rafael, Concepcion, and Cabayugan.
Atty. Gomez said that the CMRB has contributed significantly to the city’s economic recovery activities during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.