The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), through its Mining Technology Division (MTD), conducted the first National Mining Enforcement Workshop: “Strengthening Enforcement Against Illegal Mining” on August 12 to 15, 2025, at the Privato Hotel in Quezon City.
The workshop gathered MGB regional offices nationwide to boost the bureau’s enforcement capability by integrating legal strategies, inter-agency coordination and modern technology in the fight against illegal mining.
In his welcome remarks, Assistant Secretary for Mining Concerns and officer in charge of MGB, Engr. Michael V. Cabalda, stressed the need to harmonize efforts across agencies and empower MGB personnel to carry out enforcement activities.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Undersecretary for Organizational Transformation and Human Resources Augusto D. Dela Peña, who delivered the keynote address, emphasized the importance of strengthened coordination mechanisms across DENR offices to better enforce environmental laws.
The workshop featured presentations from MGB regional offices in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao highlighting enforcement accomplishments, challenges and gaps. These were used as inputs for crafting national-level responses. The MTD also presented a proposed geospatial database of illegal mining sites, which will use ArcGIS Survey123 as a standardized tool for monitoring and reporting activities.
Key lectures were delivered by experts from the DENR and partner agencies. Ms. Abigail Ocate of the Artisanal Gold Council Philippines discussed the development of a National Action Plan for the artisanal and small-scale gold mining sector. Atty. Norlito A. Eneran, DENR assistant secretary for Legal Affairs and Enforcement, spoke on coordination between MGB and the Environmental Law Enforcement and Protection Service.
Atty. Gilmarie Fe Pacamarra, senior assistant state prosecutor from the Department of Justice, presented on the prosecution of mining-related offenses. Atty. Karren Cecil Panopio-Lofranco of the DENR highlighted the DENR–DOJ memorandum of agreement to strengthen the prosecution of environmental crimes.
Other speakers included Atty. Marvin Matamis from the National Bureau of Investigation, who shared best practices in surveillance and seizure operations, and Ms. Ana Karina S. Tirao from the Department of the Interior and Local Government, who underscored the role of local governments in addressing illegal mining.
For the workshop proper, participants were divided into groups and tasked to craft specific policy outputs based on the lectures and discussions. These included:
-
Proposed amendments to MGB Memorandum Circular 2018-01 on the apprehension, seizure and confiscation of illegally sourced minerals and equipment;
-
Draft guidelines on deputation of DENR officers for mines to standardize procedures;
-
A proposed inter-agency coordination mechanism through a DENR-DILG-DND-DPWH joint administrative order; and
-
Standardized legal documentation for filing mining cases in compliance with DOJ Circular No. 20.
The workshop concluded with the presentation of the outputs and the enforcement performance indicators for MGB regional offices for fiscal year 2026. In addition, participants underwent Basic Firearm Safety Training at the Philippine National Police Training Service in Camp Crame, where MGB personnel received hands-on instruction in firearm safety and self-defense.
The National Mining Enforcement Workshop reaffirmed the shared commitment of the MGB and its partner agencies to pursue stronger, coordinated and technology-driven enforcement against illegal mining across the country.
