Mambajao, Camiguin.  Mines and Geosciences Bureau X, Regional Director Felizardo A. Gacad, Jr, paid a visit and courtesy call to Camiguin Provincial Governor Hon. Jesus Jurden   Romualdo on March 9, 2022 to purposely discuss with the local c hief executive matters related to the Sand and gravel extraction and quarrying in the province.  RD Gacad also met with the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Forester Merlyn Dumalahay, after which they had an ocular inspection at Dinanggasan River   which is one of the delineated areas for sand and gravel extraction.

A meeting was conducted on March 10, 2022 with agenda focused on the Existing Mining Permitting System of Camiguin and the current situation   of Dinanggasan River. Several issues were raised and were thoroughly discussed. It was noted that only two kinds of permits   are   issued by the provincial governor – Quarry permit   for areas within the designated extraction areas and Dredging permit outside   designated areas. RD Gacad disclosed that to enhance the current mining permitting system of the province, the same should conform to the laws, rules and regulations for environmental protection.

On March 11, 2022, the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board (PMRB) discussed what had been tackled during the   March 10, 2022 meeting. They laid out their action plans and agreed to conduct PMRB quarterly meetings in the province.

The three day visit yielded positive outcomes based on the achieved objective of discussing and recommending the incorporation of environmental management and other existing mining laws, rules and regulations in the current mining permitting system of the province to ensure proper utilization of minerals with no adverse effect on tourism areas.

The Meetings also formulated Way forward plans that will help strengthen and enhance the permitting system such as the conduct of IEC to LGU Camiguin-Provincial Agriculture Office and PENRO and Mapping out of designated areas for extraction.

 RD Gacad was accompanied by Engr. Janice B. Furog, OIC, Chief of the Mine Management Division, Legal Officer, Attorney lll Krissitte Grace F.  Campilan and Engr. Maria Raniela P. Orteza, OIC, Mining Tenement and Evaluation Section, Mine Management Division. Kent A. Rojas, MGB X embedded personnel in PENRO Camiguin was also in attendance to the said meetings.