Beyond Extraction: MGB 7 Brings Together Central Visayas Mining Firms to Align with the UN SDGs under DAO 2025-10
The future of resource extraction is not just about output; it is shaped by global responsibility.
Motioning a decisive regulatory shift for the Central Visayas mining sector, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) 7 held a Regional Orientation on DENR Administrative Order (DAO) No. 2025-10, issued on February 11, 2025. The orientation aimed to align the region’s mining operations with the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The event took place on October 22, 2025, at the SEDA Hotel, Cebu City.
This landmark event brought together a broad alliance of stakeholders—representatives from major metallic and non-metallic mining companies, including APO Land and Quarry Corporation, Carmen Copper Corporation, Dolomite Mining Corporation, JLR Construction and Aggregates, Inc., Republic Cement and Building Materials, Inc., and Solid Earth Development Corporation—alongside key local government and community leaders such as barangay officials, municipal officials, and various people’s organizations. Their unified presence underscored a core truth: sustainable development requires collaborative local ownership.
A New Regulatory Blueprint: The SDGs Mandate under DAO No. 2025-10
The morning session was dedicated to embedding global environmental and social objectives into local mandates. Following the official opening by MGB 7 OIC-Regional Director Al Emil G. Berador and an introductory message from Mine Safety, Environment, and Social Development Division (MSESDD) Chief Edgar C. Lagarnia, the focus turned to DENR Administrative Order (DAO) No. 2025-10.
Presented by Jose V. Desucatan, SDS Chief of MSESDD, this key directive—titled “Guidelines on the Integration of the UN Sustainable Development Goals in the Formulation and Implementation of the Social Development and Management Program (SDMP)”—serves as the new gold standard for the industry.
The DAO’s objectives are comprehensive, aiming to align mining community contributions not only with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development but also with national priorities, including Ambisyon Natin 2040, the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023–2028, and the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP).
Its core features mandate a structural shift in how mining firms operate:
| Core Feature | Impact |
| Mandatory Alignment | All Programs, Projects, and Activities (PPAs) within the SDMP must be formally integrated with and contribute to relevant SDGs. |
| Measurable Framework | The order requires the establishment of a robust set of measurable indicators to track progress toward the SDGs, shifting community investments from mere expenditure to verifiable, strategic impact. |
| Operator Responsibility | The DAO affirms that mining contractors and permit holders are directly and legally responsible for achieving the identified SDGs in their host and neighboring communities. |
This regulation ensures that mandated community spending is strategically linked to measurable outcomes in public health, education, and ecological stewardship, and is aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).
Social Responsibility in Action
The afternoon sessions shifted to proof-of-concept discussions that highlighted how mining companies are translating their social commitments into action, delivering tangible benefits through livelihood initiatives, infrastructure development, and sustainable community programs in line with their SDMP commitments.
APO Land and Quarry Corporation (ALQC) Community Relations Officer Fulgencio Ubay Jr. and Ms. Gloria Pocot shared details of successful livelihood programs that provide sustainable and alternative economic opportunities for women in the mining community, directly addressing SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG5: Gender Equality, and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. The participation of people’s organizations was crucial, as it provided direct feedback on the effectiveness and inclusiveness of these community-based models.
Following this, Hon. Elmer Paran, Barangay Captain of Brgy. Cogon, City of Naga, representing JLR Construction and Aggregates, Inc., discussed the Aggregates Tax Percentage in support of various infrastructure projects. His presentation illustrated how the sector’s output and tax revenues directly contribute to major public works, aligning local extraction with SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.
The next day will feature a hands-on workshop designed to support the implementation of this promising regulatory plan. On the final day, participating companies are expected to present their proposed SDG-aligned projects for future implementation. Mr. Desucatan will also serve as an adviser throughout the workshop, ensuring that the transition from policy to practice is both effective and sustainable. (Heart Rizarri/IO)
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