Philippine cement makers require permit less

The Philippine Mines and Geoscienes Bureau (MGB) has removed the need for cement producers and holders of quarry and industrial sand and gravel permits to secure a mineral processing permit (MPP) with immediate effect.

The bureau defined "mineral processing" as covering milling, beneficiation, leaching, smelting, cyanidation, calcination or upgrading of ores, minerals, rocks, mill tailings, mine waste and/or other metallurgical by-products or by similar means to convert the same into marketable products.

It said the permit is “a duplication of requirements” and should be removed “in line with the President’s earlier pronouncement to lessen red tape and redundant requirement,” President Rodrigo R Duterte's standing order for all regulators and providers of front-line public services. Moreover, the MGB said that cement production is classified under manufacturing and as a result, does not need an MPP.

The MPPs currently held by cement producers will remain valid until expire but will no longer require renewal. However, such companies will have to submit a new work programme at least 30 days before the MPP expiry date.