The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), an attached agency of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), launched a digital application process in three regions as part of its commitment to streamline the mining permit approval process and reduce the processing time for mining companies.
DENR Undersecretary for integrated sciences Carlos Primo David announced in a mining forum organized by the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) that the DENR would cut the processing time for mining applications from seven years to just two years.
“When you start to evaluate applications, there are always technical and legal aspects, and it depends on the person evaluating that. We want to track where these applications are getting stalled,” he said.
The digital application process was rolled out in mining regions, including CARAGA and Davao.
David said the system not only streamlines the process but also eliminates the potential for irregularities.
He said the DENR is implementing a parallel processing system, which means that applications would be processed even if other required permits from local government units (LGUs) and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) are still pending.
The DENR’s commitment to reducing processing time for mining permits to two years was first announced during the 2023 Mining Philippines forum.
