Posted on November 18, 2025
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya — The Provincial Mining Regulatory Board (PMRB) has announced plans to issue gratuitous permits for the extraction of sand and gravel “exclusively for urgent government projects.”
This was in response to requests from the League of Municipalities of Nueva Vizcaya, headed by Mayor Benjamin Cuaresma III, and the two districts of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the province to ease the suspension of quarry operations.
Chaired by Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Region 2 Director Mario Ancheta, the PMRB said that permits are issued exclusively for government infrastructure projects.
PMRB is responsible for issuing quarry permits, monitoring small-scale mining activities, and ensuring operators comply with applicable mining laws and environmental requirements.
Earlier, Gov. Jose Gambito, as PMRB vice chairman, had ordered a provincewide suspension due to the lack of Environmental Compliance Certificates (ECCs) among quarry operators.
However, in a meeting presided over by Ancheta, the PMRB has agreed to grant gratuitous permits under strict conditions, including the submission of exact locations of proposed quarry sites and a copy of the Program of Work indicating the precise volume of sand and gravel required.
Ancheta clarified that the permits which apply solely to government projects and do not cover commercial quarrying will be in force until Dec. 31, 2025, with the option to extend if necessary.
Gambito also cited the urgent need to repair roads, bridges and other infrastructure damaged by Super Typhoon Uwan as a key factor in the PMRB’s decision.
“Sand and gravel are critical materials for public works and rehabilitation, making the issuance of these permits crucial for the province’s recovery efforts,” he added.
