A PRIMER

The Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association is a non-stock, non-profit, and sectoral organization of exploration, mining and quarry companies, cement plants, service contractors and suppliers of mining equipment and machinery, whose advocacy and commitment is to actively participate in meeting the challenges of sustainable development through responsible mineral development, fully cognizant of attendant occupational safety and health, emergency preparedness, and environmental and community development concerns.

It was originally organized in 1938 by a core of eight (8) major mines in the Baguio Mining District under the name of Baguio Mine Operations Safety Association (BMOSA). Its main objective was to promote the doctrine of safety for the preservation and conservation of lives and properties in the mining, quarrying, metallurgical and allied industries.

The first post-war Annual National Mine Safety Conference was organized in 1953 in Baguio City, highlighted with a parade, field demonstrations, and contest in first aid, mine rescue, rock drilling, timbering, cable splicing, and hand mucking. To enlighten the affair, sports activities were also introduced. Every other year, the conference featured a technical symposium sponsored by the then Bureau of Mines.

Significant Achievements

1969 - Maintained a Mine Rescue Training Center in Baguio City;

1972 - Organized a formal training classes - step to inject within the industry the modern trends and standards of safety operations;

1973 - Industry and government started a dialogue for the institution of necessary safety measures in every mining/quarry/plant operation;

1974 - Placed the industry’s emphasis on industrial safety and environmental factors;

1976 - The one-million manhours worked without lost time accident became common accomplishments in the mines;

1976 - The approval of the Revised Mine Safety Rules and Regulations;

1979 - Focused the industry’s attention on its role in nation building and increasing consciousness towards natural resources management and mine safety;

1984 - Directed the industry’s efforts in exploiting opportunities to increase productivity; minimize cost and optimize profitability; not being callous and insensitive to the social responsibilities; and continuously enhance safety to prevent industrial accidents in the mines;

1985 - Safety promotions were paying-off manifested by marked improvements in the accident frequency rates of the different mining operations;

1988 - Incorporated the Adopt-a-Tree, Adopt-a-Mountain Movement as part of the Annual Conference and awarding;

1990 - Heroic participation in the Baguio City Rescue Operations;

1992 - Co-sponsored a workshop to formulate guidelines for safety practices and extend assistance to promote safety consciousness in small scale mining areas;

1993 - Pres. F.V. Ramos created a Multi-sectoral Task Force on mining industry that assessed the need and laid-out measures for the resuscitation of the industry;

1994/1995 - The passage of RA 7729 - Reduction of excise tax on mineral products (1994); and RA 7942 - The Philippine Mining Act of 1995;

1996 - Institutionalization of the Environmental Awards;

1997 - Signatory to the Philippine Mining Industry’s Commitment to the Environment, which include the planting of three (3) million trees and allotment of funds for environmental protection, community development and accident prevention; Became a member of the Philippine Mineral Industry Environmental Awards 9PMIEA) Selection Committee;

1998 - Holding of the Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference (ANMSEC) in Mindanao coinciding with the Philippine Centennial Celebration;

1999 - The PMSEA was a signatory to “Our Path Forward”, a document stating firm support to the government’s program on Sustainable Development;

2000 - The birth of the acronym, S.H.E.S. - highlighting the importance and linkage between Safety and Health; Environment; and Social concerns.

On 17 November 1967, Presidential Proclamation No. 115-A was issued declaring the month of November as the Mine Safety and Accident Prevention Month. On the same year, the Bureau of Mines, in collaboration with the mining industry, organized the Philippine Mine Safety Association (PMSA). The PMSA became the successor of the BMOSA. From thereon, the Association was able to continue its goals and mission despite several crises encountered by the mining industry.

In 1996, PMSA further expanded its mission to include the promotion of environmental awareness to underscore the Government and the mining industry’s response to the growing environmentalism in the country. This led to the renaming of the PMSA to Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA), which institutionalized the Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Awards (PMIEA); Adopt-a-Mountain, Adopt-a-Mining Forest Program (AMAMFP); in addition to the traditional Safest Mines Awards and Best Mining Personalities.

Safety Networking Action Program (SNAP)

On 13 November 2003, the PMSEA celebrates its 50^th Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference (ANMSEC). This milestone will be highlighted by its offering of the “Safety Networking Action Program” (SNAP) - a joint effort with the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC). The goal of its unprecedented program is to support the Government’s role in the rapid and coordinated response to emergency situations, natural or manmade, in any part of the country.