The Philippine mining industry has so far raised ₱402-million worth of relief fund to help 1.4 million households and frontliners during the coronavirus pandemic.
Mining companies were able to raise a total of ₱402 million after Acting Mines and Geosciences Bureau Director Wilfredo Moncano had authorized them to realign their unutilized Social Development and Management Program funds to help the national government in its fight against COVID-19. It reported that as of July 8, some 1.2 million households have been provided with food packs, vegetables and garden kits through the relief fund.On top of this, the agency noted that close to 210,000 frontliners have been provided with personal protective equipment and medical supplies.
As stated under the DENR Administrative Order No. 2010-21 or the Consolidated Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 7942, otherwise known as the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, mining companies are required to allocate at least one percent of their annual operation cost to their SDMP to assist host and neighboring communities and in developing mining technology and geosciences.