The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), in partnership with several government agencies, conducted the second Mobile One-Stop Shop (MOSS) for small-scale miners on May 13 and 14 in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur.
A total of 336 small-scale miners and stakeholders participated in the two-day event, which provided on-site assistance from agencies including the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Department of Trade and Industry, Cooperative Development Authority, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Land Bank of the Philippines, Department of Labor and Employment, and the Environmental Management Bureau.
The MGB’s Mining Technology Division and Mine Safety, Environment, and Social Development Division conducted technical briefings, health and safety training, and guidance on documentation requirements for permits and contracts.
Meanwhile, the Metallurgical Technology Division showcased responsible and environment-friendly mining practices, highlighting safer and more sustainable methods of gold extraction.
A major highlight of the program was the awarding of 30 Interim Small-Scale Mining Contracts and three Small-Scale Mining Contracts.
The ceremonial awarding was led by Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna together with Undersecretary Joselin Marcus Fragada, MGB Director Larry Heradez, Assistant Director Karlo Queaño, and MGB Region XIII Officer-in-Charge Director Francis Glenn Suante.
The contracts cover areas in Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur and Dinagat Islands, supporting government efforts to formalize small-scale mining operations across the Caraga Region.
The MOSS also facilitated direct access to formal gold markets. During the event, gold produced by one participating small-scale mining group was sold to a Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas-accredited buyer, demonstrating a transparent and secure marketing pathway for miners.
“We must bring down the services not only of the DENR, but also of other government agencies needed in small-scale mining,” Cuna said.
“We have to speed up the processes, bring our services to the people, and help the economy,” he added.
Following the first MOSS held in South Cotabato in March, the MGB said it plans to continue pilot implementations in Bicol Region, Davao Region and the Cordillera Administrative Region.
The initiative forms part of the implementation of Department Administrative Order No. 2026-08, which aims to streamline the issuance of Interim Small-Scale Mining Contracts and Small-Scale Mining Contracts by bringing government services directly to mining communities and accelerating the formalization of the small-scale mining sector.
