MGB spearheads Virtual and Offsite SHES and Management Systems Audit of Caraga mining firms

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau spearheaded the Virtual and Offsite Safety and Health, Environmental and Social Development (SHES) and Management Systems Audit of Caraga mining firms on August 2 to 10, 2021 via Microsoft Teams. The SHES Audit Team of the MGB Central Office and the Mine Safety, Environment, and Social Development Division (MSESDD) of MGB Regional Office No. XIII took part in the said audit. The audit started with an entry meeting wherein the MGB Central Office MSESDD technical personnel headed by Engr. Marcial H. Mateo and the MGB Regional Office No. XIII personnel headed by Engr. Francis Glenn N. Suante were introduced.  It was then followed by the Opening Message imparted by OIC-Regional Director Larry M. Heradez. Conducted in a period of seven working days, the audit comprised the comprehensive assessment of three Caraga mining companies, namely Sinosteel Philippines H.Y. Mining Corporation, Adnama Mining Resources, Inc., and SR continue reading : MGB spearheads Virtual and Offsite SHES and Management Systems Audit of Caraga mining firms

MGB ROXIII plays a part in 24th Caraga Business Conference

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII played a part in the 24th Caraga Business Conference which was conducted by the Surigao Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc., in coordination with the Provincial Government of Surigao del Norte and City Government of Surigao, via Zoom Platform on August 17 to 19, 2021. The theme of the conference is Business beyond COVID-19: The Path to the Next New Normal. It aims to compel the imminent restructuring of the global economic order and the need to determine the scale and complexity of action required at the state and business levels amidst a health crisis of immense proportion. On the first day of the event, August 17, the opening of the Agri-Trade Fair and Exhibit, in partnership with the City Agriculture and Provincial Agriculture Offices, was held.  The Virtual Business Matching, Chamber Management Forum and Presentation of Chamber Best Practices were continue reading : MGB ROXIII plays a part in 24th Caraga Business Conference

MGB ROXIII participates in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Training Course

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII participated in a series of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Training Course for the public and private sectors organized by the Office of the Civil Defense of Caraga Region. The said training program was conducted in six sessions by way of virtual teleconferencing sessions via Zoom Platform. In each of these occasions, a geologist from the Office acted as resource speaker to discuss the Rain-induced Landslide and Subsidence Hazard and provide an overview and timeline of the National Geohazard Mapping and Assessment Program of the DENR-Mines and Geosciences Bureau. The session dates, target participants and corresponding MGB Regional Office No. XIII resource speakers are as follows: June 8, 2021 Educators of Caraga Region(Batch 1) Liza P. Corotan June 15, 2021 Educators of Caraga Region(Batch 2) Ralph Angelo B. Plaza June 22, 2021 Health workers of Caraga Region(Batch 1) Liza P. Corotan continue reading : MGB ROXIII participates in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Training Course

MGB ROXIII conducts Karst Subsidence Hazard Mapping and Assessment in Burgos, Surigao del Norte

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII conducted the Karst Subsidence Hazard Mapping and Assessment on June 29 to July 17, 2021 in the Municipality of Burgos, Province of Surigao del Norte. The said project is one of the annual activities of MGB Regional Office No. XIII in support of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Program of the National Government. The primary objective of the assessment is to determine and locate sinkholes and caves on carbonate-rich lithologies by conducting ground validation and geological and geomorphological assessment in determining the subsidence susceptibility on built-up zones, residential areas, government infrastructures (schools and evacuation centers) and other priority areas identified by concerned Local Government Units (LGUs). The conduct of the karst subsidence hazard mapping is of great importance as ground subsidence due to sinkhole collapse poses a great threat to the community and infrastructures due to its extreme unpredictability. Conducted by continue reading : MGB ROXIII conducts Karst Subsidence Hazard Mapping and Assessment in Burgos, Surigao del Norte

MGB ROXIII accomplishes its Vulnerability and Risk Assessment targets for CY 2021

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII has accomplished its five (5) Vulnerability and Risk Assessment (VRA) targets for CY 2021. The said targets include the Municipalities of Libjo, Tubajon and Cagdianao in the Province of Dinagat Islands and the Municipalities of Sta. Monica and Burgos in the Province of Surigao del Norte. The VRA is a yearly activity of MGB Regional Office No. XIII which aims to develop rain-induced landslide and flood risk information by evaluating existing conditions of vulnerability that could potentially harm exposed elements such as people, critical infrastructures and road networks. In addition, the updating of the municipality’s susceptibility to rain-induced landslide and flood is also incorporated in the conduct of VRA. A team of Geologists and Geologic Aides conducted the VRA which involved data gathering/fieldwork and geographic information system (GIS) processing and risk analysis. The fieldwork included geo-tagging of critical facilities (schools, evacuation continue reading : MGB ROXIII accomplishes its Vulnerability and Risk Assessment targets for CY 2021

MGB strengthens communications toward a better normal

With the dramatic shift in the use of digital technologies and platforms due to the pandemic, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau held the Virtual Training Program with theme Strengthening Communications to a Better Normal on July 13 to 16, 2021 via Zoom Platform. The said training program aimed to enhance the communication skills of the participants and equip them with necessary skills that are vital to virtual event management, website and social media management and crafting and delivery of presentations. Spearheaded by the Mineral Economics, Information and Publication Division (MEIPD) of MGB Central Office, the training was attended by Economists, Information Officers, Information Technology Officers and Planning Officers of MGB Central Office and Regional Offices. The four-day training program featured the following topics: How to Organize a Virtual Event in the Philippines by Ms. Gen Lee Organizing Webinars via Microsoft Teams by Mr. Jay Nebrao Photo and Video Editing by continue reading : MGB strengthens communications toward a better normal

2021 Environment Month Celebration of the Caraga minerals industry: Creating transformative impacts toward ecological restoration

Amidst the continuous threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII and the Caraga Mine Environmental Management Council, Inc. spearheaded the Environment Month Celebration Culmination Program of the Caraga minerals industry on July 9, 2021 via Zoom Platform.   The theme of this year’s celebration is Sama-samang Pagkilos, Sama-samang Paghilom. Ikaw, Ako, Tayo ang Kalikasan. At the program, Engr. Francis Glenn N. Suante, Officer-in-Charge of the Mine Safety, Environment and Social Development Division, delivered the Welcome Remarks. OIC-Regional Director Larry M. Heradez also delivered a message.  “Let us be inspired by the National Government’s pursuit of development which is anchored on the commitment to Malasakit at Pagbabago or True Compassion and Real Change by taking initiatives, making eco-friendly choices and raising our voices to intensify awareness of environmental issues and concerns and create an impact that will eventually lead to nature’s restoration,” he said.  continue reading : 2021 Environment Month Celebration of the Caraga minerals industry: Creating transformative impacts toward ecological restoration

MGB ROXIII Virtual IEC Campaign: Intensifying awareness of Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program in Caraga minerals industry

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII conducted the Virtual Information, Education and Communication Campaign entitled Awareness and Advocacy of Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program in Caraga Minerals Industry on June 30, 2021 via Zoom Platform. The activity is conducted in keeping with the 2021 Philippine Environment Month Celebration with the theme “Sama-samang Pagkilos, Sama-samang Paghilom. Ikaw, Ako, Tayo ang Kalikasan.”  In the same vein, it aims to intensify the participants’ awareness of the regulatory functions of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau particularly the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program. On behalf of OIC-Regional Director Larry M. Heradez, MGB RO No. XIII Chief Geologist Romeo M. Dalodado delivered the Welcome Remarks.  It was followed by the Rationale which was imparted by Engr. Roland Joie G. Geli, Engineer II and MGB RO No. XIII Principal Youth Desk Officer.  Messages were also delivered by OIC- Regional Director Heradez and Dr. Queen continue reading : MGB ROXIII Virtual IEC Campaign: Intensifying awareness of Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program in Caraga minerals industry

2021 DENR-MGB Stakeholders’ Forum: Strengthening policies and partnerships in the minerals industry

The DENR-Mines and Geosciences Bureau conducted the Stakeholders’ Forum: Understanding Recent Policy Issuances Relating to Mining via Zoom Platform and Facebook Live on June 8 to 9, 2021. Aimed at intensifying the awareness of various minerals industry stakeholders on recent mining policies issued by the DENR-MGB, the forum featured the following messages and presentations: June 8 Session Opening RemarksAtty. Wilfredo G. MoncanoMGB Director Welcome AddressEngr. Nonita S. CaguioaDENR Assistant Secretary for Finance, Information System and Mining Concerns Policy Issuances on Mining TenementsEngr. Danilo D. DeleñaOIC-Chief, Mining Tenements Management Division MGB Memorandum Circular No. 2020-004:  Clarificatory Guidelines for the Establishment of the Contingent Liability and Rehabilitation Fund for Dredging Projects/Activities pursuant to the DPWH-DENR-DILG-DOTR Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1 Series of 2019Engr. Marcial H. MateoOIC-Chief, Mine Safety, Environment and Social Development Division June 9 Session MGB Memorandum Order No. 2020-007: Policy on Online Filing of Application and PaymentEngr. Juancho Pablo S. CalvezChief, continue reading : 2021 DENR-MGB Stakeholders’ Forum: Strengthening policies and partnerships in the minerals industry

MGB conducts Workshop on Standardization of Regional Monitoring System

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) conducted the Workshop on the Results of the CY 2020 Audit of Regional Monitoring System and Other Related Matters on April 19 to 23, 2021 via Microsoft Teams Platform. Technical personnel from all MGB Regional Offices took part in the five-day activity. In his opening remarks, MGB Director Wilfredo G. Moncano encouraged everyone to look into the provisions of Executive Order No.130 with the following highlights: The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) shall formulate the terms and conditions in the new mineral agreements that will maximize government revenues and share from production, including the possibility of declaring these areas as mineral reservations to obtain appropriate royalties, in accordance with the existing laws, rules and regulations. The DENR shall likewise undertake a review of existing mining contracts and agreements for possible renegotiation of the terms and conditions of the same which, in all continue reading : MGB conducts Workshop on Standardization of Regional Monitoring System