The Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA) is an organization of mining companies, quarries, cement plants, suppliers, service contractors, professional organizations and government agencies that advocates a national campaign against occupational safety, health and environmental hazards of mining and its related operations. One of the projects of the association is the Safety Networking Action Program (SNAP) that was launched in September 2003. The SNAP provides an integral approach to prevention, preparedness and emergency response to natural and man-made emergencies in support to the national government’s disaster and coordination program. The project has been put into action several times during emergencies such as landslides and typhoons.

On September 4, 2003, the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA) unveiled its most ambitious program – Safety Networking Action Program (SNAP). The SNAP advocates an integrated approach to prevention, preparedness and emergency response to natural and man-made emergencies in support of the national government’s disaster and coordination program. It aims to link the trained cadre of emergency response, search and rescue/recovery experts of the minerals industry (metallic mines and cement/aggregates) in a more coherent and effective way during times of emergencies and disasters. It also envisions having a full pledged institutional structure that would develop the capacity to organize and conduct trainings, share equipment and logistics, establish communication networking, make available the use of relief and medical assistance centers, and other collaborative arrangement with concerned agencies as well as international organizations.

OBJECTIVES:
- To harness the mining industry’s awareness and preparedness during emergencies and/or natural/man-made disasters within the critical hour on a nationwide basis;

- To initiate people’s awareness in emergency identification;

- To organize and train community-based emergency response teams;

- To form a safety network of resources of the mining industry with other industries and government institutions; and

- To continue to link up with local and international donor institutions to support the safety network.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
The following are the accomplishments of the SNAP:

Linked-up With Different Entities in the Minerals Industry

In 2004, the PMSEA was able to convince the local mineral sector, its affiliates and other related industry groups to commit and bind themselves to support the SNAP. With the full support of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, the PMSEA conducted an assessment of the present capability of the industry to respond to emergencies and disasters. It includes and inventory of available emergency equipment that may be tapped during emergencies and disasters. This paved the way for the PMSEA to work for the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Office of Civil Defense-National Disaster Coordinating Council (OCD-NDCC) and Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (CMP) to ensure that the operational aspect of the SNAP shall fit in with the organizational framework of the OCD-NDCC and to effectively carry out its objectives. The MOA was signed last November 13, 2003 during the 50th Anniversary of the Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference held in Metro Manila.

Provided Assistance During the Leyte Landslides and Quezon Tragedy and Diwalwal Incident

In December, 2003 and February 2006, the PMSEA mobilized rescue and recovery teams from its member companies Province of Leyte to assist in the rescue and retrieval operations of the victims of the landslide that occurred in the province. In 2004, the SNAP was once again tested when emergency response teams from Benguet Corp., Lepanto Consolidated Mining Co. and Philex Mining Corp. conducted rescue and recovery teams and were able to rescue four (4) trapped individuals from the collapsed Repador Building in Real, Quezon caused by the series of typhoons that struck the country last year. In addition, several member-companies/entities rendered relief operations and medical missions to alleviate the sufferings of those affected by the calamity.

Conducted  Regional Mine Safety and Environment Conference:

In order to effectively attain its objectives, the PMSEA decided to conduct Regional Mine Safety and Environment Conferences (RMSEC) in four (4) areas throughout the Philippines, prior to the National Conference in Baguio City in November, 2004, to bring disaster prevention and awareness to the grass root level. Highlight of said conferences was the holding of safety competitions to showcase the mineral industry’s capability to meet the challenges on disaster management. The RMSEC has been programmed to be held every other year.

Signed Memorandum of Agreement with the Philippine National Red Cross:

On September 24, 2004, the PMSEA and CMP signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC). The MOA provided for, among others, the sharing of expertise on disaster management among the PMSEA, CMP and PNRC and coordination of blood donation and medical mission activities thru the SNAP. The maiden joint project of the said group was the blood letting and medical missions that coincided with the holding of the Regional Mine Safety and Environment Conferences. After which, said project has been a part of the Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference.