LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Benguet issued a “no objection” endorsement for a proposed Minahang Bayan in Barangays Palasaang and Guinaoang in Mankayan, clearing the way for the application to proceed to the next stage of government review.
Board Member Johannes Amuasen, chairman of the Commitee on Mining and Energy said the board acted on a formal request submitted by Manasseh Gillies, vice president of the Benguet Federation of Small-Scale Miners,Inc. following an evaluation of the application’s supporting documents.
“Nag issue ti endorsement ti Sangguniang Panlalawigan gapu iti naimbag, naan-anay a panangevaluate da kadagiti dokumento, ta kumpleto amin dagitoy(The endorsement was issued by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan due to their thorough, thorough evaluation of the documents, as they are all complete),” Amuasen said.
The board issued the endorsement to fulfill a requirement set by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau which requires provincial confirmation before processing can of minahang bayan move forward.
Amuasen clarified that the endorsement does not constitute final approval of the proposed small-scale mining site adding the application must still undergo technical evaluation by the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Central Office, and other government agencies to determine full legal compliance.
“Dayta ti kayat tayo nga iklaro, nga daytoy endorsement nga ingted iti Sangguniang Panlalawigan ket it is not the approval of that Minahang Bayan ta dumalam da iti requirements metlang iti other agencies of the government, like iti PMRB, like iti MGB Central Office (That is what we want to clarify, that this endorsement given by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan is it is not the approval of that Minahang Bayan because they go through the requirements of other agencies of the government, like the PMRB, like the MGB Central Office),” Amuasen said.
The provincia board action marks the third local endorsement secured for the site, following earlier clearances from the village councils of Palasaang and Guinaoang and the municipal council of Mankayan.
Amuasen said the application will now undergo technical and legal evaluation by national regulatory agencies to ensure full compliance with government standards. Jerome Jacy Cruz | UC Intern
