LGUs ordered to crack down on black sand, beach mining

MANILA, Philippines - The national government has ordered local government chief executives to strictly enforce restrictions on black sand and beach mining to prevent the destruction of coastlines and stop the illegal extraction of minerals, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) said.

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), in coordination with the MGB, issued a memorandum circular on April 4 ordering provincial chief executives to cancel the sand and gravel permits of and file charges against entities who use their permits for black sand mining, those operating within prohibited zones, and small scale miners who engage in black sand mining.

The order also enjoins local government units to strictly ban the extraction of minerals in beaches.

“The order is meant to prevent any illegal extraction of black sand.

There are gravel and sand permit holders who use their permits to mine black sand,” said MGB director Leo Jasareno in a phone interview.

Local government units can issue two types of permit for the extraction of gravel and sand: Commercial Sand and Gravel Permit (CSGP) which is valid for one year renewable for one or more terms but not exceeding 25 years; and Industrial Sand and Gravel Permit (ISGP) valid for five years and renewable for one or more terms but not to exceed 25 years.

Citing Republic Act 265, also known as An Act Prohibiting the Extraction of Gravel and Sand from Beaches, the DILG noted that the extraction of gravel and sand are prohibited in beaches.

The DILG also cited the revised implementing rules and regulations of the Mining Act of 1995 which states that no mineral extraction shall be allowed within one kilometer from the boundaries of reservoirs established for public water supply, archaeological and historic sites, and any public works.