Water sampling is important to ensure that water is safe to use and meets its intended quality. It aims to identify the contaminants that could pose risk on human health, environment, industrial and agricultural operations.
Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO) joined the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) in the conduct of Water Quality Sampling and Monitoring at Calawagan river as requested by the Municipal Mayor of Paluan, Hon. Michael Diaz. The purpose of the water sampling is for the assurance and clarification of the state of classification of the river.
ENRO personnel – Mr. Michael A. Jordan, Mr. Melville Vasquez, Ms. Shaira Fhaye Adarlo and Forester Edwin D. Sansano assisted Mr. Jaylan C. Nocon, DENR-EMB Environmental Management Specialist I, in gathering water samples at Calawagan River on February 27, 2024 and September 11, 2024.
SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
Provincial Solid Waste Management Board Meeting
The ENR Office was able to conduct four (4) Provincial Solid Waste Management Board (PSWMB) Meeting attended by the Municipalities within the province.
- The first (1st) quarter PSWMB Meeting was conducted on March 25, 2024 at the Provincial Training Center, Capitol Complex, Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro with three (3) invited guest speakers from different Recycling industries.
- The second (2nd) quarter PESWMB meeting was also conducted at the Provincial Training Center, Capitol Complex, Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro on June 18, 2024.
The Seal of Good Local Governance indicators for environmental management of barangay level were presented by Ms. Gensis Collin Coronel of DILG. Seal of Good Local Governance for Barangay (SGLGB) is a performance assessment and a recognition system designed to distinguish barangays with outstanding performance across various governance areas.
Unlike SGLG which includes ten governance areas, SGLGB only has six. To be recognized as an SGLGB winner, a barangay must pass three governance area and one essential area. Financial administration, disaster readiness, safety, peace and order should be passed mandatory; if one of the governance areas is lacking, they would be automatically not a passer for SGLGB. At least one of the essential areas—business, social or environmental management—must be passed.
Mr. Jun dela Cerna, Mr. Leonardo Lopez and Mr. Joseph Daquio from LG Lopez Industrial Services introduced their technology for integrated zero waste technology. The technology is adaptable to barangay or municipal clustering, private entities that would like to establish facilities and services. It increases the diversity of waste and can prolong the life of sanitary landfills. The technology’s facility, procedure, and system were demonstrated via a video presentation. They also provide samples to the participants to test their product.
- On September 10, 2024, third (3rd) quarter PSWMB meeting was held at the Provincial Training Center, Capitol Complex, Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro.
Ms. Gensis Collin Coronel of DILG facilitated the presentation and discussion of the consolidated list of issues and concerns encountered by LGUs with no 10-year approved solid waste management plan. As agreed at the previous meeting, DILG will take the lead in consolidating the aforementioned matter so that the board and other concerned agencies are aware of what assistance to provide to the municipalities without an approved 10-year SWMP.
SVEMS Edwin D. Sansano presented the Resolution no. 277 S. 2024 authored by Hon. Ma. Antonietta G. Villaroza. The copy of the resolution was disseminated to the members of the board. It is a resolution adopting the NSWMC Resolution No. 1363, S. 2020, entitled Resolution Directing the DENR to Prepare and Implement the Banning of the Use of Unnecessary Single Use Plastics by NGAs, LGUs and All Other Government Controlled Offices. On the said resolution, materials such as plastic cups, plastic drinking straws, plastic coffee stirrers, plastic spoons, forks, knives and plastic labo and thin-filmed sando bags are considered as unnecessary single-use plastics.
- Fourth (4th) quarter PSWMB meeting was held at MPMPC, Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro on November 20, 2024. It was presided by PEMO Alexander Coden of DENR-EMB.
Ms. Gensis Collin Coronel of DILG presented the three main indicators for environmental management are the functionality of the barangays ecological solid waste management committee, existence of solid waste management facility pursuant to RA 9003 and provision of support mechanism for segregated collection.
Mr. Jaylan Nocon presented the marine litter action plan. The National Plan of Action on Marine Litter in the Philippines aims to address the critical issue on plastic pollution specifically targeting the prevention, reduction and management of marine litter.
Sanitary Landfill (SLF) and Material Recovery Facility (MRF) Monitoring
Sanitary Landfills and Material Recovery facilities monitored and visited by ENRO personnel:
Established Municipal nursery of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro
Temporary Residual Containment Area of Paluan, Occ. Mindoro
Material Recovery Facility and Composting Bin of Lubang, Occ. Mindoro
Temporary Residual Containment Area of Looc, Occ. Mindoro
Material Recovery Facility of Magsaysay, Occ. Mindoro
MINERAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Provincial Mining Regulatory Board Meeting
- The first (1st) quarter Provincial Mining Regulatory Board (PMRB) Meeting was conducted on March 19, 2024 by which twenty-one (21) applicants of Commercial Sand and Gravel (CSAG) were deliberated. The meeting was attended by the Board members, and invited guests from NCIP and MGB.
- The second (2nd) quarter PMRB Meeting was conducted on June 19, 2024 at the DENR-PENRO Compound. The board deliberated twelve (12) CSAG and two (2) Special Permit for Pebble Picking (SPPP).
- On September 5, 2024, third (3rd) quarter PMRB meeting was conducted at the PDRRMO Operation Center, Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro. The board deliberated twenty-four (24) CSAG and two (2) Special Permit for Pebble Picking (SPPP).
- Fourth (4th) quarter PMRB meeting was presided by Engr. Francis Mirto as representative of RD. Felizardo Gacad Jr. on October 29, 2024 at PAGCOR Building, Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro wherein the board was able to deliberate twenty-eight (28) CSAG, SPPP and QP.
Provincial Mining Regulatory Board Summit
ENRO personnel attended the PMRB summit at Century Park Hotel Manila on November 26-28, 2024 and presented the accomplishments regarding the quarry related activities within the province.
The PMRB Occidental Mindoro bag the “Top Performing Provincial/City Mining Regulatory Board in MIMAROPA REGION” for the first time.
Collection Report for Sand, Gravel and Other Mineral Resources As of November 2024
| Mineral Commodity | Tax on Sand and Gravel and Other Quarry Resources | Provincial Share (30%) | Quarry/Mining Fees | Total Provincial Share (30% + Quarry/Mining Fees) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sand, Gravel, Boulders, Pebbles, & other Mineral Resources | 29,464,187.77 | 8,839,256.34 | 1,747,840.00 | 10,587,096.34 |
| Dredging – City Pacific | 23,547,865.66 | 7,064,359.70 | 7,520,426.78 | 14,584,786.48 |
| Dredging – PERCC | 2,329,250.00 | 689,778.00 | 1,275,000.00 | 1,964,778.00 |
| TOTAL | 55,341,303.43 | 16,593,394.04 | 10,543,266.78 | 27,136,660.82 |