In line with the implementation of “ Use it or Lose it Policy” of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the MGB Region 3 reported that it has accomplished 99% of of its target for June 30, 2011.
Last year ,the Department of Environment and Natural Resources issued Memorandum 2010-04, Reforms in the Mining Tenement System which directed the Mines and Geosciences Bureau to cleanse all mining applications and deny those that did not comply with requirements. In the cleansing of pending mining applications, the “three-letter-policy will be strictly observe in exacting compliance by applicants of all the requirements, with a minimum of 30 days between these letter- notices. Applicants must also secure Free and Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) from the rightful indigenous peoples concerned, proof of consultation from the LGU’s Sangguniang, and the completion of publication, posting and radio announcement within one year from the date of acceptance of the mining application.
OIC Regional Director Danilo Uykieng said that the office has reviewed and processed 237 out of the 240 mining applications . 224 of these mining applications were denied and 13 were endorsed to the MGB Central Office for approval. Majority of the denied applications are exploration permits and mineral production sharing agreement and the rest are industrial sand and gravel permits and mineral processing permit applications.

DENR Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje also issued Memorandum Order No. 2011-01 directing all regional directors of the MGB to suspend the acceptance and processing new mining applications nationwide effective January 18, 2011.