DENR speeds up release of mine ore export permit

CEBU – In its effort to curb the smuggling of mineral products from the country, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources is now making sure that the Mineral Ore Export Permit is released promptly.

Roger de Dios, technical director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of DENR-7 said that since the new policy took effect last January 5, only one mining operator has applied for such a permit so far.

It can be recalled that DENR secretary Lito Atienza instructed all MGB regional directors in the country for a prompt processing of MOEP as one way of providing the country’s mining industry an efficient service in the application of their mining permit.

The new policy is also aimed at boosting the government’s efforts to collect the proper taxes from small and medium-sized mining companies, some of which allegedly misdeclare the volume of their exports to evade taxes and maximize their profits.

MGB has estimated that in 2007 alone, the government lost as much as P1 billion in excise taxes due to non-payment and misdeclaration, mostly by small-scale miners and non-metallic mining operators.

De Dios said that so far they are smoothly implementing the policy reform, which according to Atienza, will benefit the government in terms of taxes as well as the legitimate mining operators.

The new move is being supported by the Chamber of Mines, the biggest group of mining companies in the Philippines.

Under the DENR Administrative Order No.2008-20, holders of mining contracts or mining permits, including small-scale mining permits, issued either by the national government or the local government unit concerned are required to secure a permit from the DENR prior to the loading of the minerals.

Accredited traders, dealers or retailers of mineral and/or mineral products including tailings are also required to secure the same.

Under the said administrative order, for the purpose of monitoring, all MOEP holders are required to submit a shipment report, including copies of the export clearance issued by the Bureau of Customs, and authenticated receipt issued by the buyer/recipient to the concerned MGB regional office, with copies furnished for the office of the DENR Secretary within 30 days after the shipment.

For efficient processing of the permit, all applications shall be filed directly with the office of the DENR secretary within 60 calendar days before the actual date of shipment.

Applicants, however, may also file their applications at the MGB regional offices concerned provided that the said regional office shall immediately forward the application to the office of the DENR secretary. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/WAB (THE FREEMAN)