[ferro-alloys.com]In consonance with the directives of the President Rodrigo R. Duterte to strictly monitor the mining operations, and pursuant to the pertinent provisions of Section 8 and 9 and Chapter XI of the Republic Act No. 7942 otherwise known as the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 and Executive Order No. 79, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy A. Cimatu issued a new administrative order to strengthen the guidelines for the evaluation and approval of the Three-Year Development/Utilization Work Program (3YD/UWP).

On August 17, 2018, the new DENR Administrative Order (DAO) No. 2018-20, in re: “Providing for a new Guidelines in the Evaluation and Approval of the Three-Year Development/Utilization Work Program,” was signed and was rendered effective on September 5, 2018.

The said Administrative Order aims to: 1) provide standards for the evaluation and approval of the 3YD/UWP that is consistent with the following: approved Feasibility Study; provision of mining laws, rules and regulations; and terms and conditions of the mining permit/contract; and 2) implement an efficient monitoring system.

It also covers all Mineral Agreements (MAs) or Financial or Technical Assistance Agreements (FTAAs) under Development/Construction and Operating Period, and applications for MAs, FTAAs or other similar Mining Tenements for Development/Construction and Operating Period.

Upon effectivity, all Contractors of MAs/FTAAs or holders of other Mining Tenements with approved 3YD/UWP may continue to implement the same until its expiration, subject to the pertinent provisions of DAO No. 2018-19 and Section 6 of DAO No. 2018-20.

Furthermore, all pending 3YD/UWPs will be evaluated in accordance with DAO No. 2018-20.

To ensure the implementation and compliance of the Contractor or Permit Holder with the approved 3YD/UWP, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Regional Office concerned will use the MGB Standard Monitoring Checklists on Mining Tenements and the safety, health, environment and social concerns.

With DAO No. 2018-20, the 3YD/UWP will be enhanced to serve as the continuing monitoring tool for the conduct of the mining operations and the required rehabilitation of disturbed areas, in accordance with the approved operational plans and schedule of a mining company.

• [Editor:王可]