Republic of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources MINES AND GEOSCIENCES BUREAU

WESTERN REGION Mineral Profile Region: Region VI (Western Visayas) Revenues Collected Provinces: 6 PhP 8.513 M (CY 2019) Cities: 16 The Philippine government Amount of occupational fees, extraction Municipalities: 117 promotes the rational fees and excise tax paid by the mining Barangays: 4.051 companies from the region to the Population (2015 Census): exploration, development, national economy. Total: 4,477,247 utilization and conservation of 2 Density: 221/km mineral resources guided by Land Area and Mineral Potential Major economic activities: Farming and its commitment to responsible fishing 2,022,320 hectares (source PSA) minerals development. Total land area of the Region in Mining Investments hectares. No records were found yet since companies are still under exploration 1.425% or 28,822.46 hectares period. Assets are yet to be found in the (as of December 2019) target areas. Percentage of the Region’s total land area covered by mining tenements. Gross Output However, it should be emphasized that From non-metallic minerals (2019) said area is still subject to the PhP 2.006 Billion mandatory relinquishment as provided Estimated value of limestone, sand and by law. gravel and ordinary earth produced.

Employment Environmental Protection 1,260 (employed as of December 2019) The figure includes only employees of and Rehabilitation MPP and ISAG permit holders issued by the MGB Region VI Office, including The Philippine government some of the submitted data of LGU ensures the adequate issued permit protection of the holders/contractors/permittees. It is noted that some permit environment, before, during holders/contractors/permittees have not mining operations and yet submitted their employment data. beyond the life of the mine. While estimates vary, it is conservatively projected that for every basic job in the Economic Growth mining company, about four (4) ancillary and indirect jobs may be generated in The Philippine government Social Development and the upstream and downstream sectors. commits to provide a Management Program competitive investment climate The emergence of small enterprises/ and adequate protection of the PhP 4.191 Million (as of December 2019) businesses in the host and neighboring rights and privileges of mining Amount committed by operating mines communities due to the presence of investors. and mineral processing plant for the mining operations in the area, and the development of their host and livelihood projects supported by the Mineral Resources Development Projects neighboring communities through their mining companies, which generate both approved Social Development and employment and income, cannot be  (4 copper/gold/other associated Management Program. discounted. These economic activities minerals mines; 1 basalt rock quarry will naturally stimulate the local  (1 marble quarry; 1 limestone Environmental Protection and economy. quarry – partly in ) Rehabilitation  Aklan (1 limestone quarry – partly in PhP 5.936 Million (as of December 2019) Antique) Amount committed by operating mines Social Equity and Development  (2 copper/gold mines – partly in for the implementation of approved Iloilo) plans/programs/projects/activities under  (1 limestone quarry) The Philippine government their Environmental Protection and recognizes the rights and  (5 copper/gold/other Enhancement Program. participation of the communities associated minerals mines; 1 silica mine and Indigenous Peoples and and 1 manganese mine) Mining Forest Program ensures the fair and equitable These are identified potential mineral 9,624 seedlings (as of December 2019) sharing of benefits among the resources with approved tenements but Number of seedlings re-planted by company, the government and currently, these projects are non-operating operating mines in more than 653.43 host communities and two are under care and maintenance hectares of mined-out and other areas. after the suspension of operation in the early 2000.

“Mining shall be pro-people and pro-environment in sustaining wealth creation and improved quality of life” © Mines and Geosciences Bureau June 2019