In order to resolve various requirements of concerned government agencies involved in the offshore mining operation, members of the Mine Rehabilitation Fund Committee have recently convened at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) regional office in Tuguegarao City.

 

Chaired and co-chaired respectively by DENR Region 2 Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Director Mario Ancheta and Regional Executive Director (RED) Gwendolyn Bambalan, the discussion highlighted the roles and responsibilities of each agency in offshore mining and its compliance with the findings and recommendations of the Multipartite Monitoring Team.

 

In her message, RED Bambalan reminded the members of the committee to be prepared and have preventive measures so as not to repeat the oil spill that occurred in Oriental Mindoro. "We requested this meeting to clarify roles and responsibilities to avoid future problem specifically on offshore-mining-related activities. There is a need for us to have our response plan ready so that each agency would know what to do," the DENR region 2 chief emphasized.

 

Director Bambalan also thanked the mining firm for its commitment in complying with the requirements needed on its operation.

 

The JDVC Resources Inc. is a large-scale offshore mining company to operate magnetite ore in the coastal towns of Cagayan. It's application for Mineral Production Sharing Agreement was already approved but not yet operational.

 

Also present during the meeting were representatives from the JDVC, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Philippine Coast Guard, Regional Maritime Unit 2, Philippine National Police, and Maritime Industry Authority.#