Manila, Sept. 16 -- The establishment of the first Minahang Bayan in Patiacan, Quirino, Ilocos Sur is giving small-scale miners a legal path to pursue their livelihood while bringing their operations under a more organized and regulated system.

For generations, small-scale mining has provided income for families in mineral-rich communities. But without formal recognition, miners can face uncertainty, limited access to government assistance and the risks associated with unregulated operations.

"We are thankful to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for giving us this opportunity to have access to a Minahang Bayan to earn for a living," said 61-year-old Willy Degay, president of the Patiacan Miners of Ilocos Sur, in...