The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII celebrated the 2020 Mining Month with the theme “Mina, Sandigan ng Ekonomiya sa Panahon ng Pandemya” on November 26, 2020 at the MGB RO No. XIII Training Center in Surigao City.
The said activity aimed to show the resilience and socioeconomic contributions of the minerals industry during the most challenging times. It was also conducted in keeping with the traditional Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference in Baguio City which was not held this year due to the current pandemic. In the same way, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau marked its 122nd Founding Anniversary on November 29.
In the morning, the Blessing of the Caraga Mining and Geosciences Library was held. It was then followed by the Judging of the Terrarium Gardening and Photography Competitions which aimed to recognize the significant role of the minerals industry in authentic progress and ecological sustainability. The Board of Judges for the Terrarium Gardening Competition comprised Mr. Joel Sembrano, Professional Landscaper and Flower Arranger; Mr. Diosdado Ma, Registered Nurse and Landscape Artist; and Ms. Cecilia Lerio-Consuegra, Chemist IV of MGB RO No. XIII. As for the Photography Competition, the Board of Judges was composed of Ms. Susil Ragas, Provincial Coordinator of the Philippine Information Agency’s Surigao del Norte Information Center and the Provincial Information Manager of the Province of Dinagat Islands Information Center; Mr. Richie Reynan Tan, Professional Photographer and Proprietor of Wedding and Events Digital Studio; and Ms. Jeanelyn Ambid, Officer-In-Charge of DXSP-One FM Surigao under Radyo Pilipino Corporation. Below is the list of winners.
Terrarium Gardening Competition
Title of Entry: Althaia
Title of Entry: A Life in a Bottle
Title of Entry: Mini Ecosystem inside the Bottle
Photography Competition
Titles of Entries: The 3Cs (Collaboration, Coordination, Cooperation) in Fighting COVID-19 (COVID-19 Efforts) / Environmental Stewardship Amid COVID (Mining in the time of pandemic)
Titles of Entries: ‘Tis the Season to Give (COVID-19 Efforts) / Balik Probinsya (Mining in the time of pandemic)
Titles of Entries: Going out of the Comfort Zone (COVID-19 Efforts) / Food Sufficiency in the Mine Site (Mining in the time of pandemic)
The 2020 Mining Month Culmination Program via Zoom Platform took place in the afternoon. Mr. Romeo M. Dalodado, Chief Geologist of MGB RO No. XIII, gave the Welcome Remarks. Messages were delivered by Usec. Jim O. Sampulna, DENR Undersecretary for Enforcement, Mining, and Muslim Affairs; DENR Caraga Regional Executive Director Hadja Didaw D. Piang-Brahim; Atty. Wilfredo G. Moncano, MGB Director; Engr. Glenn Marcelo C. Noble, MGB Caraga Regional Director; Atty. Premolito B. Plaza, Officer-In-Charge of Provincial Environment Management Office of Surigao del Norte; and Engr. Corsino L. Odtojan, President of Chamber of Mines of Caraga Region, Inc. Towards the end of the event, Engr. Artemio E. Valeroso, President of Philippine Society of Mining Engineers-Caraga Chapter, gave the Closing Remarks. On the same note, mining councils and mining companies took part in the event.
