The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has commenced a nationwide, long-term program called PLASTIKalikasan to particularly address plastic waste in mining sites and its host and neighboring communities.

PLASTIKalikasan, with the help of stakeholders, serves as a platform for mining and mineral processing companies to collect, recycle, reuse, and dispose plastic waste. 

The program is set to be integrated into a company’s annual implementation of the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program (EPEP) and ISO 14001:2015, allocated with appropriate and sufficient budget. 

“At the DENR, our thrust on climate change adaptation and mitigation is at the forefront of our efforts. PLASTIKalikasan is not just a one-day clean-up project, it is a cornerstone of our strategy to build resilience against the impacts of climate change,” said DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga, in a message delivered by DENR Undersecretary for Policy, Planning and International Affairs Jonas R. Leones.

The Annual EPEP outlines the methods and procedures a company will employ to achieve its environmental protection and management goals throughout the lifespan of the mine. Under the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 and its Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations, the EPEP should be prepared and approved before the commencement of mining.