CITY OF MALOLOS — The provincial government of Bulacan has recently passed an ordinance regarding the issuance of special permits on land development concerning the extraction and disposal of non-metallic minerals within the province of Bulacan.

Bulacan environment and natural resources officer, Atty. Julius Victor Degala, told ARKIPELAGO NEWS BULACAN that Provincial Ordinance No. 102-2023 sets new guidelines on the issuance of special permits on land developments  that are not covered by a mining or quarrying permit.

The said ordinance aims to augment national and local laws such as Republic Act 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 and Provincial Ordinance No. C-005 or the Revised Environmental Code of the Province of Bulacan, and is part of the provincial government of Bulacan’s efforts  in protecting the natural environment conditions of the province.

Degala explained that the Bulacan Environment and Natural Resources Office  issues two types of permits that include: quarrying permit that is granted to a qualified person or entity for the extraction and utilization of quarry resources on public and/or private land or water system; and special permit that is issued by the provincial governor to any landowners who wish to develop his/her idle land into productive and beneficial use.

The effectivity of the special permit is limited to 60 days upon issuance and can be extended by the governor to up to 30 days as recommended by BENRO, provided that the permittee has a valid justification as to why the land development was not finished within the 60-day period.

Violators of the special permit ordinance face an imprisonment of one month for the first offense; P5,000 for every violation or an imprisonment of two months and impoundment of trucks/vehicles/ equipment used in committing any of the prohibited acts for the second offense; and P5,000 for every violation or imprisonment of three months, impoundment of trucks/vehicles/equipment used in committing any of the prohibited acts and the permittee shall also be banned from securing any form of mining/quarry permits from the PGB for three years for the third offense, Degala noted.

📷 Atty. Juvic Degala