February 1, 2021 | 7:41 pm Font Size AAA THE Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) said that it authorized miners to repurpose funds intended for social development, safety and health to procure vaccines for their host communities. The authorization covers the funds miners are required to set aside by law for social development and management programs (SDMPs), and safety and health programs (SHPs) for the procurement of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines. According to the revised rules and regulations implementing the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, the SDMP must be geared towards the âsustained improvement in the living standards of host and neighboring communities.â âThe mining contractor or permit holder shall realign the 2021 funds and the said procurement shall be chargeable against the development of host and neighboring communities of the SDMP for the impact barangays or municipalities, and health and control services of the SHP for employees or workers,â MGB said in a memorandum issued Friday.