T’boli, South Cotabato – In line with the 2025 Environment Month celebration themed “Ending Global Plastic Pollution,” over 300 small-scale miners converged at the Municipal Gymnasium in Poblacion, T’boli on June 10, 2025, for a registration and capacity-building activity aimed at promoting safe and responsible mining practices.
Spearheaded by the Office of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (OPENRO) of South Cotabato, the event served as a one-stop-shop for the issuance of Miners’ IDs and the provision of technical training. It marked a significant step towards the formalization of small-scale mining operations in the province.
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Region XII played a vital role in the activity by providing expert lectures on mining-related laws, responsible mining standards, occupational safety and health protocols, and environmental protection. Their participation underscored the agency’s commitment to improving the technical knowledge of miners and ensuring environmental safeguards in mining activities.
Also supporting the initiative was the Provincial Treasurer’s Office (PTO), which assisted in the documentation and registration process in compliance with the regulatory framework for small-scale mining.
“This initiative shows what we can accomplish when local government units, regulatory agencies, and communities work hand-in-hand,” said an MGB XII representative. “Responsible mining is no longer just a vision—it becomes a shared accomplishment.”
The event reflects the province’s proactive stance in harmonizing environmental protection and economic activities, particularly in resource-rich areas like T’boli.