The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII, in cooperation with the Caraga Mine Environmental Management Council, Inc. (CMEMCI), spearheaded the Culmination Program of the 2022 Philippine Environment Month Celebration of the Caraga minerals industry on June 30, 2022 in Surigao City.
The theme of this year’s Environment Month Celebration is Aksyon para sa Natatanging Mundo. It underscores the promotion of environmental sustainability highlighting the need to live sustainably in harmony with nature by bringing transformative changes towards cleaner and greener lifestyles. The following mining companies took part in the event:
- AAM-PHIL Natural Resources and Development Corporation (Parcel 1)
- ADFIL Corporation
- Adnama Mining Resources, Inc.
- Agata Mining Ventures, Inc.
- Cagdianao Mining Corporation
- Carrascal Nickel Corporation
- Comet Mining Exploration Corporation
- Century Peak Corporation (Casiguran Nickel Mining Project)
- Century Peak Corporation (Parcel II Mining Project)
- CTP Construction and Mining Corporation (Adlay Mining Project)
- Equi-Parco Construction Corporation
- Greenstone Resources Corporation
- Hinatuan Mining Corporation (Tagana-an Nickel Project)
- Kafugan Mining Incorporated
- Krominco Incorporated
- Libjo Mining Corporation
- Manila Mining Corporation
- Marcventures Mining and Development Corporation
- Mindanao Mineral Processing and Refining Corporation
- Oriental Vision Mining Philippines Corporation
- Pacific Cement Philippines, Inc.
- Pacific Nickel Philippines, Inc.
- Philsaga Mining Corporation
- Platinum Group Metals Corporation
- Rosario Manobo Mining Corporation
- Silangan Mindanao Mining Company, Inc.
- Sinosteel Philippines H.Y. Mining Corporation
- SR Metals, Inc.
- Taganito HPAL Nickel Corporation
- Taganito Mining Corporation
- Westernshore Nickel Corporation
The event started with the Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at the San Nicolas de Tolentino Cathedral and followed by a motorcade. Later at the MGB Regional Office No. XIII compound, a short program was held to mark the event. Messages were given by Mr. Romeo M. Dalodado, MGB Caraga Geosciences Division Chief; Engr. Larry M. Heradez, MGB Caraga Regional Director; For. Nonito M. Tamayo, DENR Caraga Regional Executive Director; For. Joseph E. Langanlangan, PENRO Surigao del Norte Technical Services Division OIC-Chief; Engr. Corsino L. Odtojan, Chamber of Mines of Caraga Region Inc. President and Engr. Verlin Marie M. Baldapan, MGB Caraga Mine Management Division Chief. At the heart of the program were the installation of the new flagpole; the unveiling of the emblems of Caraga mining companies and mining councils and the opening of the Caraga Mining and Geosciences Library to the public.
The MGB Regional Office No. XIII undertook the construction of a new flagpole to honor the Philippine flag, together with the flags of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau. The project is a brainchild of RD Heradez. The new flagpole is a source of pride and inspiration for the Office and the entire workforce. In addition, the new flagpole area features the emblems of Caraga mining companies and councils in recognition of their significant socioeconomic contributions to national progress. The emblems represent the Caraga minerals industry and affirm Caraga Region’s well-merited title as the mining capital of the Philippines.
A video presentation on the story of the flagpole and emblems project was shown at that time. Similarly, the invaluable support of the Caraga mining companies to the Caraga Mining and Geosciences Library was recognized in another video presentation that was shown as well. The library is a source of information in the realm of mineral resources and geosciences development for learners, educators and academic institutions in the region.
Before the short program ended, the MGB Regional Office No. XIII Cheer and Dance Squad rendered their exceptional performance which was an entry to the Environmental Cheer and Dance Competition during the 2022 DENR Caraga Sports Festival.
The event continued at the Philippine Gateway Hotel where RED Tamayo delivered another message that accentuated the environmental victories of the region and recognized the contributions of the Caraga minerals industry to environmental preservation. Moreover, Plaques of Appreciation were awarded to the following mining companies for their invaluable contribution to wildlife conservation and protection through the enhancement of the Regional Wildlife Rescue Center:
- Agata Mining Ventures, Inc.
- Cagdianao Mining Corporation
- Carrascal Nickel Corporation
- CTP Construction and Mining Corporation
- Hinatuan Mining Corporation
- Mindanao Mineral Processing and Refining Corporation
- Pacific Cement Philippines Incorporated
- Philsaga Mining Corporation
- Platinum Group Metals Corporation
- Sinosteel Philippines H.Y. Mining Corporation
- SR Metals, Inc.
- Taganito HPAL Nickel Corporation
- Taganito Mining Corporation
Activities such as Photography and Environmental Message and Environmental Music Video Competitions as well as the Environmental Quiz Bowl then ensued with great excitement. The participants cheered for their respective contestants and entries with much gusto.
The Photography and Environmental Message Competition aimed to encourage individuals to nurture their visual talents, creativity and communication skills as they advocate sustainable mining and environmental protection. The entries captured the essence of environmental protection undertaken by the mining firms in support of the Tayo ang Kalikasan (TAK) campaign of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. TAK is envisioned to be a collaborative effort of the government and its citizens toward responsible development of natural resources and to ensure the restoration, rehabilitation, and enhancement of the environment. In the same vein, the Environmental Music Video Competition aimed to tap the creative potentials of individuals to campaign for environmental preservation by capturing their vision and expressing their message through music and videography. Apart from instilling hope and inspiration in viewers to take action, the music video entries featured the environmental projects, programs, and activities of the mining companies.
The Board of Judges for the Photography and Environmental Message Competition comprised Mr. Stanley Aguilar, Professional Photographer and Proprietor of Aguilar Handicrafts; Mr. Guilbert Mantala, Vice President for Student Services of St. Paul University Surigao and Ms. Myra Marasigan-Peñaranda, broadcaster of RPN-DXKS Surigao. For the Environmental Music Video Competition, the Board of Judges comprised Ms. Marydane Liquido, Voice and Piano Teacher of EMT Music Center; 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 and Mr. Guilbert Mantala, Vice President for Student Services of St. Paul University Surigao.
The Environmental Quiz Bowl was also conducted in which groups of employees of Caraga mining companies took part. It aimed to enrich the knowledge and heighten the awareness of the participants on environmental laws, matters and issues as well as topics specifically highlighting this year’s Environment Month theme.
In the evening, the new CMEMI Officers took their oath of office before RD Heradez. Below is the roster of the new council officers:
Genevieve D. Alindeg
President (Greenstone Resources Corporation)
Ivan Rey P. Nakila
Vice President (Agata Mining Ventures, Inc.)
Phoebe Jean G. Alac
Secretary (Cagdianao Mining Corporation)
Vince Ivan F. Libao
Treasurer (Taganito Mining Corporation)
Junel P. Garcia
Auditor (Platinum Group Metals Corporation)
Cyril Reginald P. Canonoy
PRO (Adnama Mining Resources, Inc.)
Lastly, the most-awaited Search for the 2022 Ginoo at Binibining Kalikasan capped the culminating activities of this year’s Environment Month Celebration. The search aimed to enhance the contestants’ personalities and talents, empower them to contribute to environmental preservation and fulfill their advocacies. The Board of Judges for the search comprised Ms. Gheleene Sering-Buenaflor, Environmental Science Faculty Member of Surigao del Norte State University; Ms. Roselyn Armida Merlin, Head of Surigao City Tourism Department; Atty. Aiko Eleni Paler-Gastardo, Attorney III of the MGB Regional Office No. XIII and Mr. Randel Ruaya, Choreographer and Artistic Director of Sadjao Surigao Dance Theater and Science Instructor of Surigao del Norte State University.
These are the competition winners for each category.
Photography and Environmental Message Competition
1st Place: Century Peak Corporation (Parcel II Mining Project)
by Mr. Prince Karl O. Colandog
Environmental Message: “Ang pagtanom ang atong ugma. Ikaw, ako, kitang tanan ang kinaiyahan. Tayo ang Kalikasan.”
2nd Place: Adnama Mining Resources, Inc.
by Mr. Kenn Chua Buagas
Environmental Message: “Minahan, amumahon ang kinaiyahan, aron ang kaugmaon dili mapasagdan! Tayo ang Kalikasan!”
3rd Place: Greenstone Resources Corporation
by Mr. Larry Franz Goña
Environmental Message: “Lamdag ang kaugmaon sa binhi nga bililhon. Tayo ang Kalikasan.”
Environmental Music Video Competition
1st Place: Cagdianao Mining Corporation
by Ms. Sherie Ann C. Cardoniga
Music Video Title: “Husto Na!”
2nd Place: Hinatuan Mining Corporation (Tagana-an Nickel Project)
by Engr. Keenen C. Caluña & Mr. Miguel B. Loremia III
Music Video Title: “Eden”
3rd Place: Agata Mining Ventures, Inc.
by Engr. John Darwin Amag
Music Video Title: “Kinaiyahan Alang sa Tanan”
Greenstone Resources Corporation
by Engr. Erthelgin Joy A. Jarabe, Mr. Keith Harvey R. Chua, Mr. Larry Franz l. Goña, Mr. Rey Roldan l. Regis & Mr. Christian Condes
Music Video Title: “Ang Kalibutan Usa Lamang”
Environmental Quiz Bowl
1st Place: Platinum Group Metals Corporation
Members: Engr. Irene R. Abines, Airene Mae E. Parian & Ann Raven Nicole D. Malto
2nd Place: Kafugan Mining Incorporated
Members: Rex Angelo Jusayan, Lyra Jewel A. Tampoc & David L. Boton
3rd Place: CTP Construction and Mining Corporation
Members: Christian Jay L. Azarcon, Joy T. Morante & Rona Mae D. Petalcorin
Ginoo at Binibining Kalikasan 2022
Ginoong Kalikasan: Engr. Dominik Johannes S. Schoenhulber
Hinatuan Mining Corporation
Binibining Kalikasan: Engr. Rex Lorraine E. Cayasa
Taganito Mining Corporation
Ginoo1st Runner-up: Mr. Nethanel Rolano A. Ignacio
Taganito Mining Corporation
Binibini 1st Runner-up: Ms. Mary John Ellazo
Taganito HPAL Nickel Corporation
Ginoo 2nd Runner-up: Mr. Jeremiah Napone
Agata Mining Ventures, Inc.
Binibini 2nd Runner-up: Engr. Sunshineclen C. Roma
Hinatuan Mining Corporation
Ginoo 3rd Runner-up: Mr. Angelo Elan
Taganito HPAL Nickel Corporation
Binibini 3rd Runner-up: Ms. Diann D. Diola
Cagdianao Mining Corporation
Mr. and Ms. Photogenic Awards:
Mr. Photogenic: Mr. Nethanel Rolano A. Ignacio
Taganito Mining Corporation
Ms. Photogenic: Engr. Rex Lorraine E. Cayasa
Taganito Mining Corporation
Best in Production Number:
Mr. Best in Production: Engr. Dominik Johannes S. Schoenhulber Hinatuan Mining Corporation
Ms. Best in Production: Engr. Rex Lorraine E. Cayasa
Taganito Mining Corporation
Best in Trash the Runway:
Mr. Best in Costume: Mr. Angelo Elan
Taganito HPAL Nickel Corporation
Ms. Best in Costume: Ms. Mary John Ellazo
Taganito HPAL Nickel Corporation
The event formally concluded with the Closing Remarks of Engr. Francis Glenn N. Suante, MGB Caraga Mine Safety, Environment and Social Development Division Chief, who expressed his gratitude to the organizing committee and all participating mining companies for their kind support and active involvement that led to the overall success of the event. Engr. Suante also emphasized that we have an obligation to protect the environment, not just during the Environment Month of June but throughout our lives.
