National Coalition of Small Scale Miners in the Philippines, Inc

The National Coalition of Small-Scale Miners in the Philippines, Inc. (NCSSMPI) was founded in 2016 during the 4th National ASGM Mining Summit hosted by BAN Toxics. Representatives from various regions formalized the coalition, and interim officers were elected in June 2016, with Roberto Buniales as the founding president. The Coalition’s VMGO (Vision, Mission, Goals, and Objectives) was ratified during its first national assembly in July 2019. The coalition advocates for responsible small-scale mining, environmental protection, and the elimination of mercury in mining operations. It also aims to strengthen partnerships with government agencies like DENR and MGB. Activities include hosting national assemblies to showcase miners' contributions, strategizing for policy amendments (e.g., RA7076), and providing support for ethical gold production and community development. Over eight years, NCSSMPI has championed miners’ rights and spearheaded discussions on amending outdated laws like RA7076. It has organized workshops, roundtable discussions, and assemblies to build a unified national coalition that uplifts the small-scale mining sector while ensuring environmental sustainability and ethical practices. Goals: 1. Build a united coalition. 2. Promote responsible mining and zero-mercury operations. 3. Collaborate with government and NGOs for community improvement. The 5th National Assembly focuses on showcasing best practices, pushing for legislative priorities, electing new officers, and updating strategic plans aligned with sustainability and ethical mining.