Mining companies ordered to plant more trees

By Carlo P. Gonzaga

Friday 6th of July 2012

Manila, July 6 (PIA) -- The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB)-Central Office recently issued Memorandum Order No. 2011-03 which outlines in detail the new guidelines on the implementation of the “National Greening Program” (NGP) for the mines sector.

MGB Director Leo L. Jasareno issued the memorandum in connection with the executive order of President Aquino which covers all mining contractors, permittees, permit holders, and/or lessees.

Prior to E.O. No. 26 of the Aquino administration, mining companies were already mandated to plant trees under the Mining Forest Program (MFP) under prevailing or existing mining regulations.

The mining forest program, however, covers the planting of trees within areas encompassed by permit/lease/contract areas of mining companies, especially those that are not needed for active mining operations and mined-out areas or those areas programmed for rehabilitation after mining operations have completed.

Under this new NGP guideline, mining companies are compelled to undertake reforestation projects in addition to those implemented under their respective mining forest programs.

MFP covers only reforestation activities within the confines or boundaries of mining permit/contract/lease/tenement areas while NGP covers mandatory reforestation activities outside of mining contract/permit/lease/tenement areas.

The new NGP guidelines targets at least 34,000 hectares of reforestation areas outside of mining permit/contract/lease/tenement areas by the end of 2013 for the entire mining industry or sector.

To attain the reforestation target for the mines sector within the period prescribed by said guidelines, mining companies may avail of the following options: Direct participation in the NGP by establishing reforestation areas through the planting of seedlings including its maintenance and protection covering areas located outside of their permit/contract boundaries, and donation of seedlings to other NGP participants.

Mining companies whose registration in the NGP-mines sector were approved by MGB, are also obliged to closely monitor and evaluate quarterly the condition of the planted seedlings during the first three years. Thereafter, monitoring and evaluation shall be done on a semi-annual basis.

Mining companies registered under the NGP-Mines Sector will adopt the same reporting system for the MFP. (MGB4A/CPG-PIA4A)