QuestionsQuestions (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1721)
PD No. 1721 amends PD No. 1696 by redefining the mining area awarded to Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company—specifically by changing/adopting a new tie point and the corresponding metes-and-bounds description.
PD No. 1096 awarded Lepanto the right to explore, develop, exploit, and utilize the minerals found within the area mentioned in that decree.
It states there is a need to redefine the area by adopting another tie point as described in PD No. 1721.
The tie point adopted is BLLM No. 1 of Tabio, Mankayan, Benguet.
It bases the tie point and area on the location of Communal Forest Parcel No. 1 (Amended) of Mankayan, Benguet, as plotted in the Bureau of Forestry Map LC 1185, certified by the Director of Forestry on September 7, 1935.
Beginning Point “1” is described as being S 51°47' E, 2,705.90 meters from BLLM No. 1, Bo. Tabio, Mankayan, Benguet.
It declares the area a mineral reservation if not developed and exploited for the purpose of the decree.
Disposition is governed by Presidential Decree No. 463, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
It contains an area of 79.9780 hectares, more or less.
It refers to the technical geographic boundary description of the area using bearings/directions and distances from point to point until returning to the point of beginning.
It states that Lepanto is presently conducting extensive mining activities on the area awarded under the earlier decree.
It shall take effect immediately.
It references the Director of Forestry (certification on Sept. 7, 1935) and the Bureau of Forestry Map LC 1185.
It was promulgated by then President Ferdinand E. Marcos, “by virtue of the powers vested” in him by the Constitution, and countersigned by Jacobo C. Clave, Presidential Executive Assistant (by the President).
It shows that boundary/tie-point adjustments can be legislatively/administratively formalized through presidential issuances, affecting the scope of the granted mining rights and potential mineral reservation consequences.