BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO
SANTIAGO CITY (Janaury 26, 2024)—Making headway in its biodiversity conservation program, the London-based FCF Minerals Corporation participated in the two-day orientation workshop at Zen Hotel in Santiago City on January 25-26, 2024.
During the event, Rodalyn Arcebal, FCF information, education and communication (IEC) supervisor, said 10 delagates from the company’s Mine Environmental Protection and Enhancement Office, Community Relations Office, and Mining Department joined othe rlarge-scale mining companies in the Region 2.
These mining companies included the Didipio Mine in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya; Dinapigue Mining Corporation in Isabela; JDVC Resources Corporation in Cagayan, and Peniel Resources Mining Corporation, also in Cagayan.
Arcebal said the workshop was anchored on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Department Administrative Order (DAO) 22-04 on Enhancing Biodiversity Conservation and Protection in Mining.
The event was conceptualized by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau in Region 2 headed by Director Mario Ancheta.
Ancheta explained that the event was aimed to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the administrative order’s provisions.
“To enhance the effective implementation of the law in the mining companies’ Annual Environmental Protection And Enhancement Program, the event also served as a platform for a common understanding of the DAO, fostering open dialogue and enabling participants to share insights, concerns and suggestions,” he added.
DENR Regional Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan shared invaluable insights into developing effective performance indicators for the Annual Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program or AEPEP of mining companies.
Enrique Pasion, provincial ENR officer of Cagayan, tackled provisions of DAO 22-04 during the workshop. The last day of the event included in-depth discussions, workshops and presentations.
Also joining the event were representatives from the community ENR offices of Cagayan, Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya along with the provincial ENR officers Giovannie Magat of Nueva Vizcaya province, and Mariam Frances Malana of Quirino province.
“FCF Minerals Corporation remains committed to responsible mining and environmental stewardship,” said Lorne Harvey, FCF Minerals general manager for operations.