By Bonita Ermac
Correspondent
and Nora C. Soriño
Iligan City Bureau Chief
LANAO del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr. recently ordered all illegal mining and quarrying operations in the province to stop by September 1.
Adiong cited environmental damage and threats to community safety as the reasons for the order.
“We are gathered today to address a serious and growing concern in our province — the unregulated and illegal mining and quarrying activities that have silently, but steadily, taken a toll on our environment, our natural resources, and the safety of our communities,” Adiong said during a press conference here on July 31.
According to available records, 17 municipalities in the province currently have quarry operations without the necessary permits. Adiong said the activities have caused “deforestation, soil erosion, water pollution, and threats to the livelihood and safety of our communities.”
The governor noted an increase in applications for mining permits, with 15 of 43 coming from the municipality of Masiu. Other towns with mining interest include Wao, Kapatagan, Kapai, Tagoloan, Malabang, Balabagan, Marogong, Butig, Molundo and Picong.
Adiong signed Executive Order No. 008, series of 2025, which mandates that all illegal large-scale and small-scale mining operations in Lanao del Sur “cease and desist from all of their operations effective September 1, 2025.”
The order requires interested entities to “immediately secure the necessary permits through the appropriate regulatory process as provided for in the PMRB Manual of Operations.”
Adiong said the province adopted the Manual of Operations of the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board.
“This document outlines the policies, processes, and standards for screening and qualifying all applicants, and for issuing permits in accordance with national and regional laws, including the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 and the Barmm Environmental Code.”
He directed all concerned provincial and municipal agencies to “strictly enforce this order and ensure full compliance with the laws and regulations in effect.”
