28/09/2026
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The Provincial Mining Regulatory Board (PMRB) of Misamis Oriental marked a milestone in the formalization of small-scale mining in Region X with the ceremonial signing of the regionβs first two Interim Small-Scale Mining Contracts (ISSMCs) on September 28, 2026 held at the Provincial Capitol in Cagayan de Oro City.
Led by PMRB Chairperson and Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. X (MGB-X) Officer-in-Charge Regional Director Alvin S. Requimin and PMRB Co-Chairperson Misamis Oriental Governor Juliet Uy, the ceremonial signing formally recognized the two ISSMCs approved during a special PMRB meeting on September 23, 2026.
The contracts were issued pursuant to Department of Environment and Natural Resources Administrative Order (DAO) No. 2026-08, which provides for the issuance of Interim Small-Scale Mining Contracts to qualified small-scale mining operators within declared Minahang Bayan areas.
The first contract, ISSMC No. 2026-0001, was issued to Elsmad Chromite Mining, represented by Elmer B. Madrina. The contract covers 20 hectares for chromite mining within the declared Minahang Bayan MB No. 2025-009-X in Sitio Mag-4A, Barangay Upper Malubog, Municipality of Manticao, Misamis Oriental.
Immediately following was the ceremonial signing of ISSMC No. 2026-0002, issued to the Dulangan Higaonon Ancestral Domain Association (Opol-Lugait, Misamis Oriental) Inc., represented by Rommel B. Mansilao. The contract covers 20 hectares for chromite mining within the declared Minahang Bayan MB-2019-005-X in Barangay Awang, Municipality of Opol, Misamis Oriental.
The back-to-back signing of the two contracts marks the first implementation of the ISSMC mechanism in Region X, providing qualified small-scale mining operators within declared Minahang Bayan areas with an interim legal framework for their mining activities while they work toward compliance with the requirements for a regular Small-Scale Mining Contract.
This milestone is a testament of the PMRBβs efforts to advance the formalization of small-scale mining in Misamis Oriental and promote mining activities that are conducted in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and environmental and social safeguards. Moreover, the issuance of the first two ISSMCs strengthens the implementation of the Minahang Bayan program in Region X and provides a pathway for qualified small-scale mining operators to transition toward more formal and regulated operations.
