Law Summary
Purpose and Use of Collected Fees
- The fees go into a reserve fund.
- The fund is used exclusively to compensate for damages caused by mining operations, including:
- Damage to private lands, agricultural crops, and forest products.
- Harm to marine life and aquatic resources.
- Destruction of infrastructures.
- Revegetation and rehabilitation of silted farm lands and areas devoted to agriculture, aquaculture, and fishing.
- Reconstruction of infrastructures to restore conditions prior to mining activities.
Creation and Composition of Damage Assessment Committee
- A special committee is created to evaluate damages that justify compensation from fees collected.
- Committee members include representatives from:
- National Pollution Control Commission (Chairman)
- Bureau of Mines (Vice Chairman)
- National Irrigation Administration
- Bureau of Lands
- Bureau of Plant Industry
- Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
- National Environmental Protection Council
- Bureau of Forest Development
Rulemaking Authority
- The Secretary of Natural Resources, advised by the Director of Mines, is empowered to issue the necessary rules and regulations for effective implementation of the fee system.
Severability Clause
- If any part of the decree is declared unconstitutional or invalid by a competent court, the remaining provisions continue to be in full force and effect.
Repeal and Modification of Conflicting Laws
- All prior laws, decrees, executive orders, rules, or parts thereof that conflict with or are inconsistent with this decree are repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
Effectivity
- The decree takes effect immediately upon its promulgation.