QuestionsQuestions (LETTER OF INSTRUCTIONS No. 1508)
It lifts the ban on silica sand mining in Northern Palawan, including the Calamian Group of Islands and areas around Malampaya Sound, and opens these areas to mining location, exploration, development, and exploitation under the Small Scale Mining Decree (P.D. 1899).
The ban was effected under a Presidential Directive dated March 22, 1976.
Mining activities are allowed within the purview of P.D. 1899, the “Small Scale Mining Decree of 1984.”
The objectives include accelerating the national economic recovery program through conservation of foreign exchange reserves, increasing foreign exchange earnings through exportation of non-traditional minerals, improving the economic well-being of inhabitants of Northern Palawan via self-employment, and giving full meaning to the intents of P.D. 1899.
The ban lifted is specifically for silica sand mining.
Northern Palawan, including the Calamian Group of Islands, and areas around the Malampaya Sound.
The Letter is addressed to the Minister of Natural Resources and the Director of Mines and Geo-Sciences.
A mandatory condition that if mining activities interfere in any manner with oil exploration, development, or exploitation activities, mining activities will be immediately stopped; the mining permit/license will be cancelled; and the government shall be free from any lien or liabilities due to that action.
Any interference, “in any manner,” with oil exploration, development, and exploitation activities.
Mining activities must be immediately stopped and the corresponding mining permit or license cancelled, with the government free from lien or liabilities resulting from the action taken.
It lifts the mining ban but imposes a protective mandatory condition: mining must cease and permits must be cancelled if interference with oil operations occurs.
It limits and channels mining rights/activities in the subject areas to those allowed and regulated by P.D. 1899, rather than creating a separate or unlimited mining regime.
It directs that mining permits or licenses issued over the subject areas must include the specified mandatory condition to ensure oil operations are not adversely affected.
It creates a compliance mechanism and enforcement consequence designed to promptly prevent harm to oil operations and deter continued mining despite interference.
It indicates that any cancellation or cessation resulting from interference will not give rise to claims against the government for liens or liabilities attributable to that enforcement action.