BISLIG CITY, Surigao del Sur — The Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (MENRE), represented by the Energy Management and Development Services (EMDS), collaborated with the Department of Energy-Mindanao Field Office (DOE-MFO) for a meeting with Small-Scale Coal Mining Permittees (SSCMPs) on January 29 to February 2. This collaboration is part of the response to the Intergovernmental Energy Board (IEB) recommendations to constitute the Small-Scale Coal Mining Industry -Technical Working Group (SSCMI-TWG) that will be responsible for the formulation of policies and guidelines on the awarding of permits to the Small-scale Coal Mining operators.

MFO invited MENRE-EMDS to join and host the presentation of the Annual Work Program (AWP) of the Small-Scale Coal Mining Permittees (SSCMPs). During the meeting, highlights on the amendments of the BED Circular No. 87-03-001, reportorial updates requirements, and updates in the Mindanao Coal Industry were discussed by the DMO-MFO. Further, all the invited SCCMP operators presented and discussed their respective updated programs for C.Y. 2023 & C.Y. 2024, Computation of Reserves, Mining Method, Projection of Daily and Annual Rates, and Table of Organization, among others, addressing various aspects including safety and environmental concerns. Some mining issues, particularly on safety and environment, were also discussed and recommendations to address the said issues were noted by the participants.

On the last day of the program, an actual visit and inspection of various coal mine sites was also conducted along with the respective Mining Engineers of SSCMPs. Among the DOE-MFO personnel who went for the said visit and inspection were Engr. Ernesto P. Obelidhon, Engr. Armando S. Malapitan, Engr. Erick George D. Uy, Engr. John Esor Francess D. Mondoyo, Engr. Kenneth Alexis S. Concha, and Antonio V. Malaki. Representing the MENRE-EMDS were Engr. Yussof C. Ali, Anwar A. Ibrahim, Omar Khayr G. Laba, and Abdulkahar C. Usop.

The meeting was participated in by all the registered independent Small-Scale Coal Mining Permittees (SSCMPs), particularly those who are operating in Surigao del Sur.

The MENRE-EMDS’ participation in this activity is part of the DOE’s commitment to continuous capacity building for the Small-Scale Mining Industry-Technical Working Group (SSCMI-TWG) counterparts of the Bangsamoro Government. This is to enhance the regulatory capacity and capabilities of the Bangsamoro Government in ensuring that coal mining activities in the region are done responsibly and safely and avoid detrimental impacts on the environment.