Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
ity, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

5293

House Bill No,

Introduced by Honorable ERLPE JOHN “PING” M. AMANTE

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The Philippines is blessed with very large quantities of mincral resources
valued at over $1 trillion making us the 5'* most mineralized country in the world.
But despite sitting on vast reserves, the country is unable to maximize these
endowments due mainly to the negative public perception towards the mining
industry.

Fears expressed by different groups are not unfounded considering that
mining had caused damages to the environment and several unforgettable tragedies.
Another concern is the government's lukewarm attitude largely due to the
insignificant contribution of mining to the national economy.

However, to sit idly on our precious mineral resources in view of the
challenges should not be an option. Instead, the government must provide support
to this ailing industry by allocating resources for the development of technologi
and practices that will make mining activities more environmentally- and socially-
sound; and enable us to maximize the use of minerals for industrialization. It is for
this reason that the creation of the National Research Center for Sustainable
Mineral Industry (NRCSMI) is being sought.

‘The NRCSMI is envisioned to be the lead research body of the government for
the minerals industry. It shall focus on the development of mining and mineral
processing technologies, formulation of relevant policies, and promotion of
sustainable mining practices.

It is hoped that through the NRCSMI mining activities in the country will
become more responsible and ultimately more acceptable to the people. It shall be
instrumental in unlocking the huge potential of mining to bring inclusive growth to
the people, especially those living in the countryside.

In view of the forgoing, I hereby request for the approval of this bill.


Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

5293

House Bill No.

Introduced by Honorable ERLPE JOHN “PING” M. AMANTE

AN ACT
CREATING THE NATIONAL RESEARCH CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE
MINERAL INDUSTRY AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREOF.

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the
“National Research Center for Sustainable Mineral Industry Act.”

SECTION 2. Definition of Terms. For purposes of this Act, the
following terms are hereby defined:

a. Mineral industry ~ shall refer to activities related to mining and
mineral processing;

b. Mining - shall refer to activities related to the excavation of
valuable ores or minerals from the Earth’s crust;

c. Mineral processing - shall refer to milling, beneficiation,
leaching, smelting, cyanidation, calcination or upgrading of
ores, minerals, rocks, mill tailings, mine waste and/or other
metallurgical by-products or by similar means to convert the
same into marketable products.

SECTION 3. Creation of the National Research Center for
Sustainable Mineral Industry. _ There is hereby created a non-stock,
non-profit corporate entity to be known as the National Research
Center for Sustainable Mineral Industry, hereinafter referred to as the
NRCSMI, which shall lead in the research and development of
sustainable practices and technologies in the mineral industry.


‘The NRCSMI shall be an attached agency of the Department of

Science and Technology (DOST).

SECTION 4. Objectives and Functions. The NRCSMI shall have
the following objectives and functions:

a.

Develop and promote the application of environmentally-sound,
efficient, and economical mineral exploration, extraction and
processing, and mine rehabilitation technologies and socially-
acceptable practices both for large-scale and small-scale miners
with the aim of transforming the minerals industry into a key
contributor to national industrialization;

Serve as the primary think-tank for the national government
and local government units (LGUs) in the formulation and
implementation of policies related to the mineral industry;
Create linkages with different local and foreign research bodies,
academic institutions, advocacy groups, business groups, and
civil society organizations in order to facilitate and promote
exchanges of ideas and knowledge related to sustainable mining
and mineral processing;

Coordinate with the Professional Regulatory Commission and
the Commission on Higher Education in the enhancement of
mining engineering and metallurgical engineering curricula to
ensure that these are progressive and responsive to the growing
needs of the mineral industry; and,

Promote advanced learning and research related to mining and
metallurgy through scholarships and research grants.

SECTION 5. NRCSMI Board of Trustees. _ The NRCSMI shall be
administered by a Board of Trustees, hereinafter referred to as the
Board, composed of the following:

a.

b.
c. Executive Director of the NRCSMI;
d.

Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology, as
Chairman;
Director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau;

A representative of the Department of Trade and Industry, to be
designated permanently for one year by the Department;

A representative of the Board of Investments, to be designated
permanently for one year by the Boar

A. representative of the National Economic Development
Authority, to be designated permanently for one year by the
Authority;

‘Two (2) representatives from the private sector representing the
large-scale mining and mineral processing industries to be
appointed by the Secretary of Science and Technology;

Two (2) representatives from the academe, who are experts in
the study of mining and metallurgy, to be appointed by the
Secretary of Science and Technology;


i, One (1) representative from the small-scale miners, with at least
three (3) years of experience in the industry, to be appointed by
the Secretary of Science and Technology.

Each representative from the private sector, small-
scale miners, and the academe shall serve for three (3) years and until
his/her successor shall have been appointed: Provided, that no
vacancy shall be filled except for the unexpired portion of any term.
‘The presence of five (5) members constitutes a quorum.

SECTION 6. Powers and Duties of the Board. The Board, in
addition to its general corporate powers, shall exercise the following
powers and duties:

a. Formulate plans and programs and promulgate such policies,
procedures, rules and regulations as may be necessary for the
effective operation of the NRCSMI;

b. Receive, administer, dispose of, and disburse the funds of the
NRCSMI;

c. Receive in trust legacies, gifts and donations of whatever kind
given to the NRCSMI;

d. Appoint, and in proper cases, take disciplinary action against

the personnel and staff of the NRCSMI and set their

compensation, terms of office, and other conditions of
employment subject to existing rules and regulations;

Enter into contracts for and in behalf of the NRCSMI; and,

Exercise such other powers and functions as may be necessary

to carry out the provisions of this Act.

me

SECTION 7. Executive Director of the NRCSMI. The Executive
Director of the NRCSM! shall be appointed by the Secretary of Science
and Technology.

SECTION 8. Personnel and Staff. The NRCSMI Executive
Director shall appoint such other personnel and staff as may be
necessary for the effective operation of the NRCSMI subject to existing
rules and regulations.

SECTION 9. Involvement of the Academe, _ The NRCSMI shall
ensure the active involvement of the academe in its research and
development endeavors to promote and advance the study of the
mineral industry all across the country.

SECTION 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The
Secretary of Science and Technology shall issue rules and regulations
as he/she may deem necessary for the implementation of this Act.

SECTION 11. Appropriation. The amount necessary to carry out
the provisions of this Act shall be included in the General


Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into law and
thereafter.

SECTION 12. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive
orders, proclamations, rules and regulations, or parts thereof
inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 13. Separability Clause. _ If any provision of this Act is
held invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected
hereby shall remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 14. —Effectivity. ‘This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)

days after its publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of
general circulation.

Approved,