The Consultative Meeting and Stakeholders’ Forum on Mining Concerns for Region 5 gathered stakeholders and partners from the national government agencies, media outfit, mining industry, local government units, academe, and civil society organizations on May 23, 2022 at Prime Suite Hotel, Daet, Camarines Norte.

Spearheaded by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. V Regional Director, Engr. Guillermo A. Molina, Jr. IV welcomed all participants and discussed the importance of the activity. He emphasized that the activity is an avenue not just for learning but also for clarifications of issues on mining and quarrying. Thereafter, RD Molina thoroughly discussed the activities for the strategic benchmarking in three mining areas in Mabilo Gold Mining Project in Labo, Camarines Norte; Masbate Gold Project in Aroroy, Masbate, and Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project in Rapu-Rapu Island, Albay with the participation of media practitioners regionwide.

The activity was also participated in by Atty. Josephine V. Sescon of MGB Central Office where she discussed about the recently signed Executive Order no. 130 re: the lifting of the open pit ban and its implementing rules and regulations. Moreover, representatives from the mining industry namely: Mt. Labo Exploration and Development Corporation, Filminera Resources Corporation/Phil Gold Processing and Refining Corporation, Ibalong Resources and Development Corporation, and Rapu-Rapu Minerals, Inc. presented their companies status of project implementation.  

An open forum facilitated by the Ms. Rosalita Manlangit of Philippine Information Agency-Camarines Norte was held to enlighten media practitioners on their issues and concerns on mining. In closing, by RD Molina stated on the important role of every stakeholder in the mining industry thru its collaborative efforts in the promotion of sustainable mineral development as possible option for the country’s mineral economic growth.