In keeping with the programs under its 2019 Communication Plan for Minerals Development, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII carried on with its awareness campaign on August 14 to 16, 2019 at Barangays Puting Bato, Del Pilar and Comagascas in the City of Cabadbaran, Province of Agusan del Norte.
The Awareness on Mineral Resources and Geosciences and IEC Campaign on Gender and Development aimed to heighten the Sangguniang Barangays’ awareness of the regulatory functions of the MGB RO No. XIII and the socioeconomic contributions of the local minerals industry to the region.
The conduct of Awareness and Advocacy on Mineral Resources and Geosciences Development (MRGD) is one of the major programs of the MGB RO No. XIII. It is formulated to intensify Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaign in Caraga Region. It is also aimed at strengthening ties and partnerships with various stakeholders particularly the barangay local government units. The Officials and Staff of the aforementioned barangays participated in the activity.
On the same note, the identified geohazards in the aforesaid barangays were presented in order to strengthen the disaster risk reduction and management capabilities of the barangay local government units. Furthermore, the MGB RO No. XIII Gender and Development Focal Point System presented its gender equality and women’s empowerment goals to recognize the important roles of women in various aspects of development.
The participants’ awareness of the following topics were heightened with presentations and discussions – Mining Policies and Tenement Updates; Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program; Employment and Taxes derived from Mining; Social Development and Management Program; Geohazards and Geology and Gender and Development.
At the end of the presentations, an open forum ensued wherein the participants raised issues and concerns in relation to the topics discussed. While there are no existing mining operations in the aforementioned barangays, a few participants asked about mining issues which just goes to show that they are not totally unaware of the minerals industry.
Barangay Captains Joel Embalsado of Puting Bato, Acrecia Camarin of Del Pilar and Jumar Mendaros of Comagascas expressed their appreciation of the purposeful activity as well as their gratitude for the good opportunity to have established a linkage with the MGB RO No. XIII.
