The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (“MGB”) issued on 1 April 2020 a Memorandum providing for the guidelines on the realignment of unutilized Social Development and Management Program (“SDMP”) funds to support affected impact and non-impact communities due to COVID-19.
The SDMP includes programs for: 1) Development of Host and Neighboring Communities; 2) Information, Education and Communication; and 3) Development of Mining Technology and Geosciences.
Unutilized SDMP funds pertain to the 2019 total unspent budget carried over to the 2020 Annual SDMP (“ASDMP”) budget.
Pursuant to the Memorandum, the guidelines for realigning unutilized SDMP funds are as follows:
- Unutilized SDMP funds should be utilized first prior to the utilization of 2020 funds;
- The 2020 ASDMP budget can be realigned subject to the approval of the MGB Regional Director concerned;
- The re-aligned fund should be utilized on a staggered basis, i.e. 12 – 17% every week;
- All necessary documents for the accounting of the utilization of re-aligned SDMP fund (e.g. official receipts, proof of purchase of food and medical supplies) shall be included in the quarterly accomplishment report to be submitted by the mining contractors/permit holders subject to monitoring of the MGB Regional Office (“RO”) concerned; and
- The Community Development Program can also be re-aligned following the abovementioned guidelines.
All MGB ROs are given authority to approve re-alignments of SDMP fund to programs/projects/activities (“PPAs”) deemed necessary to combat COVID-19, in accordance with the government’s program to augment the needs of affected communities and in coordination with the Local Government Units and other agencies involved in providing support to such affected communities.
A weekly accomplishment report shall be submitted by the MGB ROs to the Mine Safety, Environment and Social Development Division with a copy furnished to the Planning, Policy and International Affairs Division of MGB starting 8 April 2020 and every Wednesday thereafter for collation and submission to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.