TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and 
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr. 
House Bill No.  _____ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Mining has adverse effects both to humans and the environment. Aside from adding 
toxic chemicals to the ore, it strips-off large areas of top soil of all flora and fauna. Just recently, 
Cagayan de Oro City has suffered flash floods and mining operations in barangays 
Dansolihon, Mambuaya, Taglimao, Tagpangi, Tuburan and Tumpago are blamed for such 
flashfloods. The flashfloods destroyed not just properties but agricultural areas and farm-to-
market roads as well. Based on the Progress Reports of the Regional Disaster Coordinating 
Council of Region 10 based in Cagayan de Oro City, the flashfloods of January 3, 2009 has 
affected 21,605 persons or 5,223 families in the city. It has also totally damaged 141 houses 
and partially damaged 1,410 house amounting to an estimated cost of 1.9 million as of January 
8, 2009 only.  
In the January 11, 2009 floods that befell Cagayan de Oro City, 37,086 persons or 
7,410 families were affected with 94 houses totally damaged and 71 partially damaged. 
Further, typhoon Sendong brought about the worst destruction in the history of 
Cagayan de Oro City.  
To prevent flashfloods from recurring, mining operations in Cagayan de Oro City must 
be totally prohibited. Hence this bill, which seeks to declare the City of Cagayan de Oro a 
mining-free zone. 
In view thereof, immediate approval of this Bill is sought. 
RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ 
  MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR. 
July 14, 2025
8:01 am
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TWENTIETH CONGRESS   
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session  
 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and 
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr. 
House Bill No.  _____ 
AN ACT  
DECLARING THE CITY OF CAGAYAN DE ORO A MINING-FREE ZONE AND PROVIDING 
PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION. 1. Statement of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to protect and advance the 
right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony 
of nature. It is likewise the responsibility of the State to promote the rational exploration, 
development, utilization, and conservation of the mineral resources of the country in a way 
that effectively safeguards the environment and protects the rights of affected communities. 
Towards this end, the State shall institute measures to protect the people and the environment 
in the City of Cagayan de Oro from the adverse effects of mining.  
SEC. 2. Declaration of the City of Cagayan de Oro as a Mining-Free Zone. – The City of 
Cagayan de Oro is hereby declared a mining-free zone. All forms of mining operations and 
activities, whether large-scale or small-scale, within the jurisdiction of the City of Cagayan de 
Oro are hereby prohibited. The provisions of Republic Act No. 7942, or the “Philippine Mining 
Act of 1995”, Republic Act No. 7076, or the “People’s Small-Scale Mining Act”, and other laws, 
rules and regulations on mining that are inconsistent with this Act shall have no application 
within the territorial jurisdiction of the locality. 
SEC. 3. Coverage. – This Act covers all mining operations and activities, including quarrying, 
within the territorial jurisdiction of the City of Cagayan de Oro: Provided, however, That the 
quarrying of gravel and sand for projects directly undertaken by the agencies of the National 
Government or by the City Government for basic services such as roads, bridges, school 
buildings, water and energy utilities, and similar public works, is exempted from the coverage 
of this Act, subject to the requirements of existing mining and environment laws: Provided, 
further, That the National Government may pursue mineral resource development in any part 
of the City when the national interest so requires, such as in the case of strategic raw minerals 
for industries critical to national development  for scientific, cultural and ecological values. 
SEC. 4. Recognition of Existing Mining Contracts, Agreements and Permits. – All valid 
and existing mining contracts, exploration permits, licenses, technical and financial 
agreements and mineral production sharing agreements in accordance with Republic Act No. 
7942, covering any area within the City of Cagayan de Oro at the date of effectivity of this Act, 
shall be recognized by the Government and shall remain valid until the expiration or 
termination thereof. Thereafter, no further extension or renewal of the contract, permit, license 
or agreement shall be granted. Moreover, the Government shall not issue new exploration 
permits nor enter into new mineral agreements or similar other agreements covering lands 
within the jurisdiction of the City. 
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SEC. 5. Non-renewal of Small-scale Mining Contracts. – All small-scale mining contracts 
covering any area within the City of Cagayan de Oro shall not be renewed upon the effectivity 
of this Act. 
 
SEC. 6. Quarry Operations. – Existing quarry permits issued by the City Government at the 
time of the approval of this Act shall be recognized and shall remain valid until the expiration 
or termination thereof. Thereafter, issuance of quarry permits in the mining-free zone for 
instances provided in Section 4 hereof, shall be under the direct supervision of the Department 
of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The maximum area which a qualified person 
may hold for quarrying purposes at any time within the territorial jurisdiction of the City of 
Cagayan de Oro shall be five (5) hectares. The DENR shall impose strict regulations in 
ensuring that no more than one (1) quarry permit is granted to the same person, corporation 
or its affiliate or subsidiary, or any entity that has essentially the same legal personality as the 
applicant or holder of an existing quarry permit in the City. 
 
A quarry permit shall immediately be canceled by the DENR, upon finding after 
investigation that in the guise of quarrying activities, the holder of a quarry permit engages in 
activities that are properly authorized by exploration permits, mineral agreements, or mining 
contracts.  
 
SEC. 7. Penal Provision. – Any person, natural or juridical, or any public officer, who violates 
the provisions of this Act shall be penalized with imprisonment of at least six (6) years but not 
more than twelve (12) years, and a fine of at least One hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000.00) 
but not more than Five hundred thousand pesos (₱500,000.00).   
In addition, a public officer who violates this Act shall also be dismissed from service 
and perpetually disqualified from holding public office. 
If the offender is a juridical entity, the highest ranking official and the members of its 
board of directors or board of trustees who authorized the violations therein shall suffer the 
penalty imposed under this Act. 
 
SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity 
of this Act, the DENR Secretary shall issue rules and regulations for the effective 
implementation of this Act. 
 
SEC. 9. Separability Clause. – If any section or provision of this Act is held unconstitutional 
or invalid, the remaining sections or provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full 
force and effect. 
 
SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. – All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and 
regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act 
are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
 
SEC. 11. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the 
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,