Establishment of a Phosphate Mining Reservation in Panay, Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Masbate, Guimaras and Siquijor

May 5, 1984

PROCLAMATION NO. 2356

ESTABLISHING AS A PHOSPHATE MINING RESERVATION ALL PHOSPHATE BEARING LANDS AND PHOSPHATE DEPOSITS IN THE ISLANDS OF PANAY, NEGROS, CEBU, BOHOL, MASBATE, GUIMARAS, AND SIQUIJOR

WHEREAS, the National Development Company (NDC) is presently conducting extensive studies of prospective phosphate deposits throughout the Philippines;

WHEREAS, the NDC has determined that significant phosphate deposits are found within the Islands of Panay, Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Masbate, Guimaras, and Siquijor;

WHEREAS, NDC through Philippine Phosphate Fertilizer Corporation, is presently constructing a phosphate fertilizer plant;

WHEREAS, it is in the interest of the state that phosphate deposits and lands be reserved for industrial and commercial use and that the exploration and development of indigenous phosphate reserves be accelerated;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare, order and direct that:

1. It is hereby established and set apart, subject to existing private rights which the government may acquire by negotiation, as reservation under the administration of NDC and/or its subsidiaries, affiliates or designates, for the purpose of exploring, developing, exploiting and utilizing phosphate deposits found therein, such parcels of land in the Island of Panay, Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Masbate, Guimaras and Siquijor.

2. The Bureau of Mines is hereby instructed to provide full assistance to the NDC and all its affiliated subsidiaries or designates in the implementation of this Proclamation.

3. This Proclamation shall take effect immediately.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

DONE this 5th day of May, in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Four.