The Concerned Citizens of Abra for Good Governance (CCAGG) committed to assist the small-scale mining (SSM) sector of the province in complying with the requirements for the establishment of a Minahang Bayan in the locality.
The commitment was made during the Abra Provincial Mining Regulatory Board (PMRB) meeting, chaired by Mines and Geosciences Bureau-Cordillera Director Fay W. Apil, on Oct. 27.
During the meeting, the CCAGG presented its Project Deepening, Access, Transparency and Accountability to Improve Natural Resource Governance and Empower Communities (Project DATA), which is supported by the USAID and Bantay Kita.
It aims to improve natural resource governance, especially at the local level.
Under the project, CCAGG will work with representatives from the government, industry, and civil society to mainstream transparency mechanisms and multi-stakeholder dialogues.
The project will assist local partners in establishing regional knowledge hubs aimed at facilitating capacity-building among stakeholders and ensure project sustainability.
SSM sector representative Joel Sannadan asked the CCAGG through Pura Sumangil to assist them in complying with the requirements needed for the declaration of a Minahang Bayan in Licuan-Baay. The area is being eyed as a model for the SSM industry in the province.
Abra Environment and Natural Resources Officer Cris Albolote discussed the requirements for applications for sand and gravel extraction permits and said some permits were already issued by the governor.
Memorandum Circular 97-05 provides that the PMRB is chaired by the MGB regional director while the governor or an authorized representative from the provincial government serves as vice-chair. – Press release
