{i nerncagy
/ >” RECEIVED

OATE: AUG 2017,
tine: JEU}

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 6259

Introduced by
Representatives Pantaleon D. Alvarez, Rodolfo C. Farifias, Danilo E.
Suarez, Frederick F. Abueg, Ferdinand L. Hernandez, Romero S. Quimbo,
Raneo E. Abu, Joel Mayo Z. Almario, Abdullah D. Dimaporo, Allen Jesse
C. Mangaoang, Arnel U. Ty, Juliet Marie D. Ferrer, Manuel Jose Dalipe,
Arnolfo A. Teves, Jr., Emmanuel A. Billones, Luis Raymund F. Villafuerte,
Jr., Luis Jose Angel N. Campos, Jr., Erlpe John M. Amante,
Jose L. Atienza Jr., Raul A. Daza, Rolando B. Zamora, Johnny Ty Pimentel

AN ACT
AMENDING CERTAIN PORTIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7942,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “PHILIPPINE MINING ACT OF 1995” BY
PROHIBITING MINING IN WATERSHEDS, REQUIRING A
LEGISLATIVE FRANCHISE FOR MINING OPERATIONS, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippines is very rich in natural resources. With an estimated
worth of 1.4 trillion US Dollars in minerals, it is among the top five most
mineralized countries in the world. From 2009 to 2014 alone, PhP 650 billion
worth of minerals were extracted with gold and nickel accounting for 70%.
From 2012-2014, the oil and gas sector contributed PhP 125 billion to the
government treasury.

Page 1 of 16

faa & 073117


The challenge for government is to ensure proceeds translate into
sustainable development, environmental protection, and greater
transparency and accountability in the mining industry.

Watershed Protection

Watersheds serve a critical function for the environment and the
Philippine society as a whole. A mining disaster that affects a watershed
creates a crisis of immense proportion. Hence, it is imperative to adopt a
preemptive approach in protecting said watersheds. To allow mining in those
areas is too risky.

There are different classifications of watersheds. The Mining Act of
1995 includes proclaimed watersheds as an area closed to mining applications.
In order to clarify the extent of said protection, this bill explicitly includes
watersheds, in general, as well as critical watersheds, as part of the
enumerated areas closed to mining applications.

Legislative Franchise for Mining Operations

With the liberalization of the mining industry in the country, it is
important to note that it is among the least contributors to the country’s
wealth which only peaked at 1.63% in 2007. The present mining companies
are not performing at par with the potential of the industry. By requiring
mining firms to acquire a legislative franchise, the people, through their
elected representatives, would be able to scrutinize the applicants, their
capability and track record, in order to make sure that only responsible
mining firms are allowed to operate in the country.

Thus, the proposed measure requires the acquisition of a legislative
franchise from Congress for mining operations in the Philippines. Hopefully,
this creates a more rigid and transparent process which weeds out the
undeserving companies from securing a mining permit. As a result, the
country and its people shall be the first to benefit from the extracted minerals.

Page 2 of 16
JNA/ICO 073117


Greater Transparency and Accountability

The mining industry can contribute more to the government in terms of
providing the latter its fair share in the revenue generated. This can only be
achieved in an atmosphere of transparency which facilitates accountability.
Unfortunately, there have been reports that permits and agreements have
confidentiality clauses which preclude watchdogs from examining the
arrangements entered into by the government with the mining firms.

To stop this practice, this bill clarifies that the contents of said permits
and agreements are considered public information. Further, confidentiality
clauses which shroud in secrecy the contents of the permits and agreements
are null and void.

Mandatory Domestic Processing of Mineral Ores

This bill seeks to provide for the mandatory domestic processing of all
mineral ores in the Philippines and banning of the exportation of
unprocessed mineral ores, as determined by the Department of Environment
and Natural Resources (“DENR”).

According to Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia, “the
Philippines, despite its relatively small land area, is one of the world’s most well-
endowed countries in terms of mineral resources.” The Mines and Geosciences
Bureau of the DENR also reported that about 30% or 9 million hectares of the
country’s total land area have high mineral potential. In addition, from 2011
to 2015, the mining sector generated an average of 236,400 jobs annually.
Despite this, the mining sector’s contribution in terms of gross value-added
remains relatively low at an average of 0.7% of the country’s gross domestic
product.

One of the reasons pointed out for the insignificant contribution of the
mining industry to the country’s economy is the fact that mineral ores in the
country after being mined or extracted, while still unprocessed, are already
exported directly to foreign countries as raw materials. Downstream mining

(7

Page 3 of 16
JNA/ICO 073117,


industry has not been developed. Thus, the benefits of added value through
the value-chain of mineral processing from mining cannot be maximized.

This proposed measure requires the processing of all mineral ores, as
determined by the DENR, within the Philippines and in the province where
the minerals were extracted. As a result, it imposes the ban on the export of
unprocessed mineral ores to help develop the mineral processing industry in
the Philippines and to benefit the localities where the minerals came from.

The country and its people should be the first to benefit from the
extracted minerals through employment, business opportunities and share in
the profits. This will enable the mining sector to realize its full potential and
increase its role in nation-building.

Repeal of Creditable Activities

Lastly, an area of reported abuses lies in the credited activities provided
for in Section 58 of the Mining Act of 1995. The value of these activities can
easily be bloated and then credited as an expenditure. As a result, the basis
from which the share of the government shall be computed is greatly
reduced. To prevent this from happening, this bill repeals Section 58.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is highly and earnestly
recommended.

ol

PANTALEON D/ADVAREZ

Chin y7/

DANILO E. SUAREZ RODOLFO C. FARINAS

FRED) K F. ABUEG

Page 4 of 16


ie

QUIMBO

Bur kh

RONALDO B. ZAMORA

MANUEL JOSE PALIPE JULI RIE D. FERRER
Qa SIAN Ss mA
ARNOLEFO A. TEVES, JR. EMMANUEL A. BILLONES

AILLEN JESSE C. MANGAOANG

LUIS RAY! F, VILLAFUERTE, JR.

Page 5 of 16
JNA/ICO 073117


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 6259

Introduced by
Representatives Pantaleon D. Alvarez, Rodolfo C. Farifias, Danilo E.
Suarez, Frederick F. Abueg, Ferdinand L. Hernandez, Romero S. Quimbo,
Raneo E. Abu, Joel Mayo Z. Almario, Abdullah D. Dimaporo, Allen Jesse
C. Mangaoang, Arnel U. Ty, Juliet Marie D. Ferrer, Manuel Jose Dalipe,
Arnolfo A. Teves, Jr., Emmanuel A. Billones, Luis Raymund F. Villafuerte,
Jr., Luis Jose Angel N. Campos, Jr., Erlpe John M. Amante,
Jose L. Atienza Jr., Raul A. Daza, Rolando B. Zamora, Johnny Ty Pimentel

AN ACT
AMENDING CERTAIN PORTIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7942,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “PHILIPPINE MINING ACT OF 1995” BY
PROHIBITING MINING IN WATERSHEDS, REQUIRING A
LEGISLATIVE FRANCHISE FOR MINING OPERATIONS, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 5 of Republic Act No. 7942 is hereby amended to
read as follows:

Page 6 of 16
INA/ICO 073117


“SEC. 5. Mineral Reservations. - When the national interest
so requires, such as when there is a need to preserve strategic raw
materials for industries critical to national development, or
certain minerals for scientific, cultural or ecological value, the
President may establish mineral reservations upon the
recommendation of the Director through the Secretary. Mining
operations in existing mineral reservations and such other
reservations as may thereafter be established, shall be undertaken
by the Department or through a contractor: Provided, THAT
PRIVATE CONTRACTORS MUST FIRST SECURE A
LEGISLATIVE FRANCHISE AS A PREREQUISITE BEFORE
THEY COULD APPLY FOR AN EXPLORATION PERMIT,
MINERAL AGREEMENT UNDER SECTION 26 OF REPUBLIC
ACT. 7942, OR FINANCIAL AND/OR TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT. FURTHER, THE TERMS AND
CONDITIONS OF SAID PERMITS AND AGREEMENTS ARE
CONSIDERED PUBLIC INFORMATION. ANY CLAUSE OR
PROVISION PROVIDING FOR THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF
THE CONTENTS, ESPECIALLY THE FINANCIAL TERMS
AND CONDITIONS, ARE NULL AND VOID.

7

EXPLORATION PERMITS, MINERAL AGREEMENTS
AS ENUMERATED IN SECTION 26 OF REPUBLIC ACT. 7942,
AND FINANCIAL AND/OR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
AGREEMENTS APPLIED FOR AND THEREAFTER
APPROVED WITHOUT FIRST SECURING A LEGISLATIVE
FRANCHISE SHALL BE NULL AND VOID.

PRIVATE CONTRACTORS PRESENTLY HOLDING
EXPLORATIONS PERMITS, MINERAL AGREEMENTS
UNDER SECTION 26 OF REPUBLIC ACT. 7942, AND
FINANCIAL AND/OR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
AGREEMENTS, HAVE ONE (1) YEAR FROM THE TIME THIS
LAW TAKES EFFECT TO SECURE A _ LEGISLATIVE
FRANCHISE OTHERWISE SAID PERMITS AND
AGREEMENTS SHALL EXPIRE.

Page 7 of 16
JNA/ICO 073117


PROVIDED, FURTHER, That a small-scale mining
cooperative covered by Republic Act No. 7076 shall be given
preferential right to apply for a small-scale mining agreement for
a maximum aggregate area of twenty-five HECTARES [(25%)] of
such mineral reservation, subject to valid existing
mining/ quarrying rights as provided under Section 112 Chapter
XX hereof, AND PROVIDED THAT THERE IS NO
ENCROACHMENT INTO AREAS OUTSIDE THE MINING
AGREEMENT. All submerged lands within the contiguous zone
and in the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines are hereby
declared to be mineral reservations.

A ten per centum (10%) share of all royalties and revenues
to be derived by the government from the development and
utilization of the mineral resources within mineral reservations as
provided under this Act shall accrue to the Mines and
Geosciences Bureau to be allotted for special projects and other
administrative expenses related to the exploration and
development of other mineral reservations mentioned in Section 6
hereof.”

SEC. 2. Section 19 is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Section 19
Areas Closed to Mining Applications

Mineral agreement or financial or technical assistance agreement
applications shall not be allowed:

a. In military and other government reservations, except upon
prior written clearance by the government agency concerned;

b. Near or under public or private buildings, cemeteries,
archeological and historic sites, bridges, highways, waterways,
railroads, reservoirs, dams or other infrastructure projects, public
or private works including plantations or valuable crops, except

Page 8 of 16
INA/ICO 073117


upon written consent of the government agency or private entity
concerned;

c. In areas covered by valid and existing mining rights;
d. In areas expressly prohibited by law;

e. In areas covered by small-scale miners as defined by law unless
with prior consent of the small-scale miners, in which case a
royalty payment upon the utilization of minerals shall be agreed
upon by the parties, said royalty forming a trust fund for the
socioeconomic development of the community concerned; and

f. Old growth or virgin forests, WATERSHEDS, proclaimed
watershed forest reserves, CRITICAL WATERSHEDS,
wilderness areas, mangrove forests, mossy forests, national parks
provincial/ municipal forests, parks, greenbelts, game refuge and
bird sanctuaries as defined by law and in areas expressly
prohibited under the National Integrated Protected Areas System
(NIPAS) under Republic Act No. 7586, Department
Administrative Order No. 25, series of 1992 and other laws.

PUBLIC OFFICERS OR EMPLOYEES WHO FACILITATE THE
APPROVAL OF PERMITS IN AREAS WHICH ARE CLOSED
TO MINING OPERATIONS SHALL SUFFER THE PENALTY
OF IMPRISONMENT FOR A PERIOD NOT LESS THAN SIX
(6) YEARS BUT NOT MORE THAN TWELVE (12) YEARS,
AND PAY THE FINE AMOUNTING TO TWO MILLION
PESOS (PHP 2,000,000.00) PER VIOLATION. SAID PUBLIC
OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE SHALL LIKWISE BE ABSOLUTELY
AND PERPETUALLY DISQUALIFIED FROM HOLDING
PUBLIC OFFICE.

PRIVATE PERSONS ACTING IN CONSPIRACY WITH THE
PUBLIC OFFICERS OR EMPLOYEES DESCRIBED IN THE
IMMEDIATELY PRECEEDING PARAGRAPH, SHALL

Page 9 of 16
JNAJICO 073117


LIKWISE SUFFER THE SAME PERIOD OF IMPRISONMENT
AND AMOUNT OF FINE.

SEC. 3. Section 27 of Republic Act No.7942 is hereby amended to read
as follows:

“SEC. 27. Eligibility. - A qualified person may enter into
any of the three (3) modes of minerals agreement with the
government for the exploration, development and utilization of
mineral resources: Provided, THAT THE APPLICANT HAS
ACQUIRED A LEGISLATIVE FRANCHISE PRIOR TO ITS
APPLICATION FOR A MINERAL AGREEMENT: Provided,
further, That in case the applicant has been in the mining industry
for any length of time, he should possess a_ satisfactory
environmental track record as determined by the Mines and
Geosciences Bureau and in consultation with the Environmental
Management Bureau of the Department.

SEC. 4. Section 30 of Republic Act No.7942 is hereby amended to read
as follows:

“SEC. 30. Assignment/Transfer - Any assignment or transfer
of rights and obligations under any mineral agreement [except a
financial or technical assistance agreement] shall be subject to
the prior approval of CONGRESS AND the Secretary. [Such
assignment or transfer shall be deemed automatically approved
if not acted upon by the Secretary within thirty (30) working
days from official receipt thereof, unless patently
unconstitutional or illegal.]”

SEC. 5. Section 31 of Republic Act No.7942 is hereby amended to read
as follows:

“SEC. 31. - Withdrawal from Mineral Agreements. - The
contractor may, by giving due notice at any time during the term
of the agreement, apply for the cancellation of the mineral

Page 10 of 16
JNAJICO 073117


agreement due to causes which, in the opinion of the contractor,
make continued mining operations no longer feasible or viable.
The Secretary shall consider the notice and issue its decision
within a period of thirty (30) days: Provided, That the contractor
has met all its financial, fiscal and legal obligations: PROVIDED,
FURTHER, THAT THE SECRETARY SHALL INFORM
CONGRESS BEFORE ANY ACTION IS TAKEN WITH
REGARD TO THE WITHDRAWAL OR CANCELLATION OF
A MINERAL AGREEMENT.”

PRIVATE CONTRACTORS MUST FULLY REHABILITATE
THE AREAS THEY UTILIZED AND/OR OPERATED IN BY
RESTORING THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECOLOGICAL
BALANCE OF SAID AREA WITHIN TEN (10) YEARS
RECKONED FROM THE EXPIRATION DATE OF THE
EXPLORATION PERMITS, THE MINERAL AGREEMENTS,
AND THE FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
AGREEMENT, WHICHEVER IS APPLICABLE.

VIOLATIONS OF THE IMMEDIATELY PRECEEDING
PARAGRAPH SHALL BE PUNISHABLE WITH THE
PENALTY OF ONE HUNDRED MILLION PESOS (PHP
100,000,000.00) PER HECTARE THAT HAS NOT BEEN
REHABILITATED. THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS, PARTNERS, OR SOLE PROPRIETOR OF THE
PRIVATE CONTRACTOR/S SHALL BE DIRECTLY LIABLE
FOR SAID PENALTY.

SEC. 6. Section 32 of Republic Act No.7942 is hereby amended to read
as follows:

“SEC. 32. Terms. - Mineral agreements shall have a term
not exceeding TEN (10) [twenty-five (25)] years to start from the
date of execution thereof, and renewable for another term not
exceeding TEN (10) [twenty (25)] years under the same terms and
conditions thereof, provided that no violations were committed,
without prejudice to changes mutually agreed upon by the
Page 11 of 16
INA/ICO 073117


parties. After the renewal period, the operation of the mine may
be undertaken by the Government or through a contractor WITH
A LEGISLATIVE FRANCHISE. The contract for the operation
of a mine shall be awarded to the highest bidder in a public
bidding after due publication of the notice thereof: Provided, That
the contractor shall have the right to equal the highest bid upon
reimbursement of all reasonable expenses of the highest bidder.”

SEC. 7. Section 33 of Republic Act No.7942 is hereby amended to read
as follows:

“SEC. 33. Eligibility. - Any qualified person with technical
and financial capability to undertake large-scale exploration,
development, and utilization of mineral resources in the
Philippines may enter into a financial or technical assistance
agreement directly with the Government through the
Department: PROVIDED, THAT A_ LEGISLATIVE
FRANCHISE SHALL BE OBTAINED BY THE PERSON PRIOR
TO THE APPROVAL OF THE FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.”

SEC. 8. Section 39 of Republic Act No.7942 is hereby amended to read
as follows:

“SEC. 39. Option to Convert into a Mineral Agreement. - The
contractor has the option to convert the financial or technical
assistance agreement to a mineral agreement at any time during
the term of the agreement, if the economic viability of the contract
area is found to be inadequate to justify large-scale mining
operations after proper notice to the Secretary AND CONGRESS
as provided for under the implementing rules and regulations:
Provided, That the mineral agreement shall only be for the
remaining period of the original agreement. In the case of a
foreign contractor, it shall reduce the equity to forty percent (40%)
in the corporation, partnership, association, or cooperative. Upon
compliance with this requirement by the contractor, the Secretary

Page 12 of 16
JNA/JCO 073117


shall approve the conversion and execute the mineral production-
sharing agreement, AND SHALL INFORM CONGRESS OF
THE CHANGE IN AGREEMENT.”

SEC. 9. Sec. 41 of Republic Act No.7942 is hereby amended to read as
follows:

“SEC. 41. Withdrawal from Financial or Technical Assistance
Agreement. - The contractor shall manifest in writing to the
Secretary AND CONGRESS his intention to withdraw from the
agreement, if in his judgement, the mining project is no longer
economically feasible, even after he has exerted reasonable
diligence to remedy the cause or the situation. The Secretary may
accept the withdrawal: Provided, That the contractor has
complied or satisfied all his financial, fiscal or legal obligations.
PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT THE SECRETARY SHALL
INFORM CONGRESS BEFORE ANY ACTION IS TAKEN
WITH REGARD TO THE WITHDRAWAL OR
CANCELLATION OF A MINERAL AGREEMENT.”

THE LEGAL OBLIGATIONS AND _ LIABILITIES
IMPOSED IN SEC. 31 OF THIS ACT SHALL LIKEWISE BE
APPLICABLE TO THE IMMEDIATELY PRECEEDING
PARAGRAPH.

SEC. 10. Sec. 53. of Republic Act No.7942 is hereby repealed.

SEC.11. Section 55 of Republic Act No.7942 is also hereby amended
to read as follows:

“SEC. 55. Minerals Processing Permit. - No person shall engage
in the processing of minerals without first securing a minerals
processing permit from the Secretary. Minerals processing permit
shall be for a period of TEN (10) [five (5)] years renewable for like
period but not to exceed a total term of-TEN (10) [twenty-five
(25)] years. In the case of mineral ores or minerals produced by

Page 13 of 16
JNAJICO 073117


the small-scale miners, the processing thereof as well as the
licensing of their custom mills, or processing plants shall continue
to be governed by the provisions of Republic Act No. 7076."

MINERAL ORES EXTRACTED UNDER THE PROVISIONS
OF THIS ACT SHALL BE PROCESSED WITHIN THE
PHILIPPINES AND IN THE PROVINCE WHERE THE
EXTRACTION OCCURRED AND THOSE GRANTED A
MINING PROCESSING PERMIT SHALL NOT EXPORT THE
UNPROCESSED MINERAL ORES.”

SEC. 12. Section 58 of the same Act relating to “Credited Activities” is
hereby repealed.

SEC. 13. Section 70 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as
follows:

Section 70A. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) - Except
during the exploration period of a mineral agreement or financial
or technical assistance agreement or an exploration permit, an
environmental clearance certificate shall be required based on an
environmental impact assessment and procedures under the
Philippine Environmental Impact Assessment System including
Sections 26 and 27 of the Local Government Code of 1991 which
require national agencies to maintain ecological balance, and
prior consultation with the local government units, non-
governmental and people’s organizations and other concerned
sectors of the community: Provided, that a completed ecological
profile of the proposed mining area shall also constitute part of
the environmental impact assessment. People’s organizations and
nongovernmental organizations shall be allowed and encouraged
to participate in ensuring that contractors/permittees shall
observe all the requirements of environmental protection.

SECTION 70B. PERIODIC ASSESSMENT OF WASTE

DISPOSAL - PRIVATE CONTRACTORS SHALL
SYSTEMATICALLY DISPOSE THEIR WASTE IN A MANNER
Page 14 of 16

JNAJICO 073117


NOT HARMFUL TO THE ENVIRONMENT AND SHALL
SUBMIT ANNUAL WASTE DISPOSAL RESPORTS TO THE
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT BUREAU AND MINES
AND GEOSCIENCES BUREAU OF DENR. FURTHER, SAID
PRIVATE CONTRACTORS ARE COVERED BY REPUBLIC
ACT 6969, ALSO KNOWN AS “AN ACT TO CONTROL
TOXIC SUBSTANCES AND HAZARDOUS AND NUCLEAR
WASTES, PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS
THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES” WHENEVER
APPLICABLE.

SEC. 14. Section 103 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as
follows:

“SEC. 103. Theft of Minerals; ILLEGAL EXPORT OF
UNPROCESSED MINERAL ORES. - Any person who, ALONE
OR IN CONSPIRACY WITH OTHERS, extracts minerals and
disposes of the same without a mining agreement, lease, permit,
license, or steals minerals or ores or the products thereof from
mines or mills or processing plants shall, upon conviction, be
imprisoned from six (6) months to six (6) years AND pay a fine
ranging from Five Hundred Thousand pesos (Php 500,000.00)
AND AN ADDITIONAL One Million pesos (Php 1,000,000.00)
PER TON OF ORE ILLEGALLY EXPORTED. THE SAME
PENALTIES SHALL APPLY FOR THOSE WHO ATTEMPT TO
ILLEGALLY EXPORT THE UNPROCESSED MINERAL ORES.
In addition, he shall be liable to pay damages and compensation
for the minerals removed, extracted, and disposed of. FURTHER,
THE CORPORATION, AS WELL AS ITS DIRECTORS,
PARTNERS IN A PARTNERSHIP, OR THE REGISTERED
OWNER OF THE SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP, SHALL BE
SOLIDARILY LIABLE FOR PENALTIES APPLIED AGAINST
THEIR PERSONNEL WHO ENGAGED IN ACTS
PUNISHABLE UNDER THIS ARTICLE.

ANY PERSON WHO, ACTING ALONE OR IN CONSPIRACY
WITH OTHERS, WHO EXPORTS OR ATTEMPTS TO
Page 15 of 16
JNA/ICO 073117


EXPORT UNPROCESSED MINERAL ORES SHALL, UPON
CONVICTION, BE PUNISHED BY IMPRISONMENT OF NOT
LESS THAN SIX (6) YEARS AND ONE (1) DAY BUT NOT
MORE THAN TWELVE (12) YEARS, AND A_ FINE
AMOUNTING TO THRICE THE HIGHEST MARKET VALUE
OF THE SEIZED UNPROCESSED MINERAL ORES, AS
DETERMINED BY THE COURT, BUT IN NO CASE LOWER
THAN ONE MILLION PESOS (PHP 1,000,000.00) PER
VIOLATION. IN ADDITION, SEIZED UNPROCESSED
MINERAL ORES SHALL BE CONFISCATED BY THE
GOVERNMENT.

In the case of sole-proprietorships, associations, partnerships, or
corporations, the president and each of the directors, the partners,
and the registered owner, shall be SOLIDARILY responsible for
the acts committed by their personnel who are convicted under
this section.”

SEC. 15. Separability Clause. If any provision of this law or the

application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, the
remainder of the law or the application of such provision or part thereof to

other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.

SEC. 16. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, orders, issuances, rules and

regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are

hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 17. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,

Page 16 of 16

JNA/(CO 073117