Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office-LGU Benguet

01/08/2026

Consultative Workshop on the review and validation of draft ecological profile of Ongong Falls

Taba-ao, Kapangan, Benguet
July 30, 2026

31/07/2026

3rd Quarter Meeting of the Balili River System Water Quality Management Area (WQMA) Technical Working Group

Citylight Hotel, Baguio City
July 30, 2026

Photo credit: EMB-CAR

31/07/2026

31/07/2026

Sand and gravel permittees from different municipalities of Benguet joined a provincial training workshop aimed at improving compliance with mining and quarry regulation and strengthening coordination with local communities.

The activity was organized by the Provincial Government of Benguet through the PENRO-LGU and focused on the provision of Republic Act No. 7942, or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, and Provincial Ordinance No. 2023-321 , which governs sand and gravel and other quarry operations in the province.

Barangay officials from areas with active quarry activities also participated in the workshop, giving communities an opportunityto better understand the rules being implemented and the responsibilities of permit holders operating within their jurisdiction.

During the discussion, PENRO-LGU personnel explained the legal requirements for quarry operations, inluding permit compliance, environmental protection measures, site monitoring ,rehabilitation responsibilities and transport regulations.

Unlike a typical lecture-type seminar, the activity drew active participation from the permittees and barangay officials, who raised practical concerns on field implementation, monitoring procedures and coordination with government offices and barangays. The exchanges allowed regulators and operators to clarify common operational issues and discuss ways to improve compliance on the ground.

Provincial Ordinance No. 2023-321 was presented as part of the effort of the province to strengthen local regulation of quarry activities and ensure that extraction of construction materials is carried out and in an orderly and environmentally responsible manner. The ordinance complements national mining laws by providing PLGU specific rules on supervision, reporting ,enforcement and penalties for violations.

Honorable Governor Melchor Diclas - Benguet said that this activity recognizes that sand and gravel remain essential for infrastructure and development projects across Benguet, but stressed that extraction must be managed carefully to avoid environmental degradation, riverbank erosion and other impacts on nearby communities.

By the end of the activity, participants expressed support for continued dialogue between the Provincial Government, permittees and host barangays , with the common goal of promoting responsible quarrying, environmental protection and sustainable development in Benguet.

July 30, 2026
Provincial Capitol, Poblacion, La Trinidad, Benguet

29/07/2026

MAJOR CLEANUP DRIVE CONDUCTED IN LOACAN, ITOGON, BENGUET

More than 200 small - scale miners joined the environmental cleanup drive led by the Provincial Government of Benguet in partnership with the Municipal Local Government Unit of Itogon, Barangay Local Government Unit of Loacan and the Loacan Pocket Miners Association ( LIPMA) ,resulting in the collection of approximately half a ton of residual waste, plastic bottles and other garbage from the river channels, roadsides and areas surrounding mining portals and active mining zones.

PENRO- LGU said around 220 small scale miners participated in the activity , although not all were able to sign the attendance sheet.

Aside from collecting waste, participants also cleared overgrown vegetation along road shoulders to improve visibility, safety and accessibility in the mining community.

A backhoe was also deployed to remove a portion of a landslide that had affected one section of the road, allowing safer passage for residents, workers and emergency responders.

PENRO-LGU emphasized that the activity was initiated by the Provincial Government of Benguet as part of its continuing effort to promote compliance by LIPMA with the environmental conditions set forth in the certificates issued to the group.

After the cleanup, the collected waste was brought to the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) where LIPMA members themselves conducted waste segregation. The segregated residual waste will be collected by the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) of Itogon for proper disposal.

LIPMA is one of the organized associations operating in Loacan, Itogon, an area with a long history of small- scale mining. Small scale mining activities in Benguet are primarily governed by RA 7076 or the People's Small Scale Mining Act of 1991, which created the legal framework for small scale mining and established mechanims such as the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board (PMRB) .

Environmental protection measures are reinforced by RA 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, as well as the RA 9003, the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, which requires proper segregation, collection and disposal of solid waste.

Under these laws and their implementing rules and regulations, miners are expected to undertake environmental protection and enhancement measures, maintain sanitary conditions in their operating areas and prevent pollution of waterways and sorrounding communities.

The Provincial Government of Benguet has been strengthening its environmental management initiatives in small scale areas through monitoring, technical guidance (with EMB and MGB) and community- based activities. The activity forms a part of broader efforts to promote responsible mining practices, proper waste management and even road safety.

Held in line with the observance of the National Disaster Resilience Month, the cleanup and clearing operations contributed to efforts to reduce flooding, landslide and road safety risks in the Loacan mining community while promoting environmental responsibility among small scale miners.

Loacan, Itogon, Benguet
July 29, 2026

24/07/2026

Public Advisory from the RDRRMC

17/07/2026

Survey and Assessment of Poblacion Communal Forest

Poblacion, Kabayan, Benguet
July 16, 2026