MANILA - The Philippine mining industry has become significantly safer due to the implementation of additional policies aimed at improving the sector, according to an executive of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB). Marcial Mateo, chief of MGB's Mine Safety, Environment and Social Development Division, discussed these advancements on the sidelines of the 69th Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA) conference.
According to Philippines News Agency, the industry is now highly regulated, focusing on safety, health, community development, and environmental protection. Regular monitoring is conducted to ensure compliance with safety and health programs, which are supported by allocated budgets. The use of personal protective equipment, such as hard hats and safety shoes, forms a critical part of the preventive measures in mining sites. Louie Sarmiento, PMSEA president, stated in a separate interview that the mining industry employs approximately 220,000 direct workers in large-scale mining companies, not including contractors and those in downstream operations. The emphasis on safety, health, environment, and community development is paramount, with the government's stringent policies and their implementation playing a crucial role in improving the industry.