Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) · DAO 2025-37
Delegating the Authority to Approve Three-Year Development/Utilization Work Programs to the Regional Director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Offices
DENR Administrative Order No. 2025-37
Subject: Delegating the Authority to Approve Three-Year Development/Utilization Work Programs to the Regional Directors of the MGB Regional Offices
Signed: December 18, 2025 . Published: Philippine Daily Inquirer, January 9, 2026 . Acknowledged: ONAR, U.P. Law Center, January 14, 2026
Legal Basis
DAO 2018-20 (guidelines on evaluation and approval of the 3YD/UWP), RA 7942 (Philippine Mining Act of 1995), and RA 11032 (Ease of Doing Business Act).
Policy and Objectives
Contractors of Mineral Agreements (MAs) and FTAAs, and holders of similar mining tenements, must secure approval of a Three-Year Development/Utilization Work Program (3YD/UWP) describing mining activities over each three-year cycle. Delegating approval to MGB Regional Offices aims to ensure timely approval for continuous operations, align with regional approval of the SDMP, ASDMP, and Safety and Health Program, and reduce processing time and bottlenecks.
Scope
All MAs, FTAAs, and similar mining tenements in the Development/Construction Period or Operating Period.
Delegation and Processing
- Approval authority is delegated to the MGB Regional Director with jurisdiction over the tenement.
- The MGB Regional Office evaluates and approves the 3YD/UWP within 20 working days of receipt.
- If deficiencies are found, the contractor is given 7 working days to rectify them, after which the program is approved once addressed.
- Approved programs are sent to the contractor, with an electronic copy furnished to the MGB Central Office.
Transitory Provision
Existing approved 3YD/UWPs remain valid until expiry. Succeeding programs are approved by the MGB Regional Director under this Order.
Effectivity
Takes effect fifteen (15) days after publication and upon filing with ONAR.
Signed by Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla. Summary prepared by EnviSynergy from the official DENR issuance; refer to the full text for binding provisions.
Important Notice
EnviSynergy exercises due diligence in researching and summarizing this policy. This summary is provided for general reference only and does not constitute legal advice or an official interpretation of the issuance. The policy may have been amended, superseded, or clarified after publication, and this summary may not capture every provision of the original text. For the complete, accurate, and most current version, users are advised to consult the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) or the relevant issuing agency directly before making any compliance or project decision.
Policy Details
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