MGB 7 Greenlights 3rd Renewal of ISAG Permit for Bluestone Aggregates Inc.

An important briefing was held on February 16, 2026, at the Office of the Regional Director, Mines and Geosciences Bureau 7 (MGB 7), to formalize the terms and conditions of the third renewal for the Industrial Sand and Gravel (ISAG) Permit IP-000027-VII. The briefing was conducted by the staff of the Mine Management Division, led by Division Chief Engr. Edgardo C. Loquellano.

This permit, now held by Bluestone Aggregates Inc. following a recent transfer from Mr. Humprey R. Benitez, covers a total area of 11.3619 hectares across Toledo City, Cebu.

Originally granted to Mr. Humprey R. Benitez in 2008, the permit has undergone a strategic transition. Following a Deed of Assignment executed in October 2025 and officially approved on February 9, 2026, all rights, titles, and responsibilities have been transferred to Bluestone Aggregates Inc.

Operational Scope and Environmental Commitment

The renewed permit covers a combined area of 11.3619 hectares. This includes:

  • Extraction Area: 8.3619 hectares located along the Abayan River in Barangay Pangamihan, Toledo City.
  • Processing Plant Facility: 3.0000 hectares situated in Barangay Juan Climaco, Sr. (formerly Magdugo), Toledo City.

Key Terms of the 3rd Renewal

The permit grants Bluestone Aggregates Inc. the authority to extract and dispose of sand, gravel, and unconsolidated materials for a period of five years. Under the leadership of OIC, Regional Director Al Emil G. Berador and Bluestone’s Corporate Secretary Mark Anthony B. Maputi, the company has committed to several critical mandates:

  • Environmental Stewardship: Operations must be managed in a technically and environmentally responsible manner, adhering to the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) and the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program (EPEP).
  • Social Responsibility: The permit holder is required to respect the rights and traditions of local communities and ensure gender non-discrimination within their workforce.
  • Resource Protection: Extraction is prohibited within one kilometer of reservoirs, archaeological sites, or public structures without proper clearance.
  • Cultural Preservation: Operations must immediately cease if man-made articles or artifacts are discovered, pending supervision by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

This renewal reinforces the balance between industrial development in Cebu and the stringent regulatory framework of the Philippine Mining Act of 1995. (MGB7 IO/Heart Rizarri)