Marawi City — The Provincial Mining and Regulatory Board (PMRB) of Lanao del Sur convened today at the Executive Conference Room of the New Capitol in Marawi City to address pressing issues related to mining and quarrying operations in the province, including the upcoming implementation of a mining tax and new operational guidelines.
PMRB Chairperson and Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENREO) Forester Asmarie Labao welcomed participants, stressing the need for responsible and regulated mining and quarrying practices. He emphasized the board’s commitment to sustainable development and environmental stewardship.
Governor Mamintal “Bombit” Alonto Adiong Jr., in his message to the board, announced the provincial government’s plan to begin collecting taxes from mining and quarrying operations by September. He underscored the importance of the measure, mandated by law, to support local development and protect the environment.
“This is a necessary step to ensure that our natural resources benefit not just a few, but the entire province,” Adiong said, expressing confidence that stakeholders would support the initiative.
Forester Pili Papandayan, head of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), presented the newly drafted Manual of Operations. The document provides comprehensive procedures for permitting the extraction of quarry materials, such as sand, gravel, guano, gemstones, and other minerals from public and private lands. It also outlines legal guidelines, applicant qualifications, and the detailed steps for application, processing, and approval, including the applicable taxes and fees.
Assistant Provincial Treasurer Maria Fe Alonto explained the mechanisms for tax collection, assuring transparency and proper management of mining revenues.
Board Member Sheila Devnani-Ganda urged the board to conduct an information campaign to help stakeholders understand the Manual of Operations. She also advocated for environmental sustainability, pushing for support of a proposed ordinance banning single-use plastics, styrofoam, and other non-biodegradable materials in public spaces.
Atty. Faisal Cali delivered the closing remarks, highlighting the need for collaboration among stakeholders to ensure the successful rollout of the reforms.
“The success of these initiatives will depend on our collective commitment to responsible resource management,” Cali said.
The meeting concluded with a productive exchange of ideas among participants, signaling strong support for the province’s push toward regulated and sustainable mining and quarrying practices.
With the September implementation of the new mining tax on the horizon, the PMRB pledged continued engagement with stakeholders to ensure compliance and the protection of Lanao del Sur’s natural resources.