The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII played a part in the Caraga Mining Forum on July 26, 2018 at Hotel Tavern, Surigao City.
The said forum centred on the theme Benefits from Mining Industry Leading to Inclusive Growth and Authentic Sustainability. It was held on the third day of the 22nd Caraga Business Conference with the theme Convergence towards Sustainable & Inclusive F.A.M.E.++. The forum was an intrinsic part of the event in view of the fact that the minerals industry is one of the major economic drivers of Caraga Region which is dubbed the mining capital of the Philippines. It was organized by the Surigao Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (SCCI) and the Community Relations, Education & Development Officers Organization (CREDO Caraga), Inc. Trade and industry leaders, mining stakeholders, business students and members of the academe including a good number of local government units, regional offices of national government agencies, business associations and the media participated in the event.
At the opening program, Mr. Ronald C. Asignacion, President of CREDO Caraga, Inc., delivered the Welcome Message. The Caraga Regional Development Plan 2017-2022 was then presented by Regional Director Mylah Faye Aurora B. Cariño of the National Economic and Development Authority Caraga Regional Office. The following plenaries comprised the forum which engaged the interest and keen involvement of the participants:
Promoting Farm Tourism in Caraga Region
Speaker: Hon. Melva P. Garcia, Provincial Board Member of Surigao del Norte
Reactor: Mr. Woodrow Escobal, Proprietor of JB Nature Farm and Resort
Community Empowerment and Ecological Integrity: Vision for Development
Speaker: Engr. Roger A. de Dios, Regional Director of Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII
Reactor: Mr. Leonel Rojo, President of Dinagat Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc.
Open Forum Moderator: Mr. Manuel R. Kong, Board of Director of Surigao Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc.
Positive Impact of the Mining Industry in the Region
Speaker: Mr. Rogel Cabauatan, Assistant Vice President for Environment and Community Relations of Nickel Asia Corporation
Reactor: Hon. Rito I. Placencia, Barangay Kagawad of Brgy. Hayanggabon, Claver, Surigao del Norte
Career Opportunities in the Mining Industry
Speaker: Mr. Gerardo Ignacio B. Ongkingco, Vice President for Human Resource of Nickel Asia Corporation
Reactor: Mr. Inocencio Angeles, Jr., President of City of Bayugan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. and Vice President of Agusan del Sur College
Data Analysis of the Mining Industry in Caraga Region
Speaker: Ms. Graciela E. Mante, Economic Development Specialist/Data Analyst
Reactor: Mr. Jojo Thairon G. Tacumba, Resident Manager of Greenstone Resources Corporation
Open Forum Moderator: Mr. Manuel R. Kong, Board of Director of Surigao Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc.
The event culminated in the Presentation of Resolutions by Mr. Willie A. Gan, SCCI President, and the Closing Remarks imparted by Mr. Benito T. Lim, SCCI Vice President.