More than 700 stakeholders from the mining sector, local government units, and partner institutions gathered in Camarines Norte for the third Mobile One-Stop Shop (MOSS) for the Small-Scale Mining Sector, an initiative aimed at improving access to government services and promoting responsible mining practices.
Held on May 20 at Camarines Norte State College, the program was led by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in partnership with various government agencies to help small-scale miners comply with regulatory requirements, strengthen environmental and safety standards, and encourage legal mineral trading.
The event was formally opened by MGB Regional Office 5 Regional Director Guillermo A. Mollina Jr. IV, while messages of support were delivered by Labo Mayor Severino T. Francisco Jr., MGB Director Larry M. Heradez, Camarines Norte Gov. Ricarte “Dong” Padilla, and Gov. Ricardo T. Kho, among other local officials.
Delivering the keynote address, DENR Assistant Secretary for Mining Concerns Michael V. Cabalda underscored the importance of formalizing small-scale mining operations and advancing environmentally responsible mining practices.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony officially launched the event, followed by visits to service booths where participating agencies provided information and assistance on mining regulations, environmental compliance, occupational safety, and legal mineral trading.
One of the highlights of the program was a ceremonial gold-buying activity, during which 14.71 grams of gold with an estimated purity of 87.5 percent were traded through legal channels. The event also saw the awarding of seven Interim Small-Scale Mining Contracts (ISSMCs) to various Minahang Bayan areas.
According to the MGB, the MOSS program seeks to simplify the processing of permits and other regulatory requirements for small-scale miners while providing technical assistance on environmental protection, occupational health and safety, and responsible mining practices. The initiative also promotes the sale of gold through Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas-accredited channels.
As part of the activities, officials from the MGB and partner agencies visited the Minahang Bayan site operated by the Magkamatao Small-Scale Miners Association (MSSMA) to assess mining conditions and the welfare of miners in the area.
During the visit, government officials recognized the association’s compliance with environmental and safety standards and cited the progress of small-scale mining in the province through the combined efforts of local government units, the MGB, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and other partner agencies.
Heradez noted that while the Caraga Region is widely regarded as the country's large-scale mining capital, Camarines Norte could be considered the Philippines’ “small-scale mining capital” because of the sector’s significant presence and contribution in the province.
The program concluded with remarks from MSSMA adviser Rodrigo A. Belleza, who thanked government agencies for their continued support of small-scale miners and initiatives promoting responsible and sustainable mining development.
