MGB ROXIII conducts Karst Subsidence Hazard Susceptibility Assessment and Ground Penetrating Radar Survey

Karst subsidence and sinkhole collapse are some of the most dangerous hazards that can happen in an area underlain by carbonate lithology. The term karst describes a distinctive topography that indicates dissolution (also called chemical solution) of underlying soluble rocks by surface water or ground water. Although commonly associated with carbonate rocks (limestone and dolomite) other highly soluble rocks such as evaporites (gypsum and rock salt) can be sculpted into karst terrain (Alpha, T.R., et.al). The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII conducted the Karst Subsidence Hazard Susceptibility Assessment and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) Survey on June 16 to August 13 in the Municipality of Tagbina, Surigao del Sur as its sole target for 2019. A team of geologists and geologic aides from the Geosciences Division conducted the said assessment and survey. For the first two weeks, the team focused on sinkhole and cave opening inventory in the continue reading : MGB ROXIII conducts Karst Subsidence Hazard Susceptibility Assessment and Ground Penetrating Radar Survey

MGB ROXIII carries out IEC Campaign on Results of Vulnerability and Risk Assessment Project and Training-Workshop on Understanding Risk Exposure Maps

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII carried out its Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Campaign on the Results of Vulnerability and Risk Assessment (VRA) Project and Training-Workshop on Understanding Risk Exposure Maps on August 20, 2019 in San Jose, Province of Dinagat Islands. The IEC Campaign aims to intensify awareness and provide additional technical input to the Local Government Unit (LGU) regarding Risk Exposure Analysis and its significance to its comprehensive land use and development disaster risk management planning. To date, the aforesaid IEC Campaign and Training-Workshop have been conducted in nine municipalities in the Provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur and Dinagat Islands. During the activity, MGB ROXIII geologists discussed the following topics: • Understanding Susceptibility Maps; • Introduction to Vulnerability and Risk Assessment; • Production of Exposure Maps; and • Understanding the Risk Exposure Maps. Below are the pre-identified groupings of participants for continue reading : MGB ROXIII carries out IEC Campaign on Results of Vulnerability and Risk Assessment Project and Training-Workshop on Understanding Risk Exposure Maps

MGB ROXIII attends small-scale mining summit in Compostela Valley

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII attended the National Summit for the Presentation of the Proposed Amendment of the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (RIRR) of Republic Act (RA) No. 7076 and 1st National Assembly of the Philippine National Coalition for Small-scale Miners on July 29-31, 2019 at the Provincial Capitol in the Municipality of Nabunturan, Province of Compostela Valley. The theme of the summit is Responsableng Pagmimina… Kaunlaran ng Bayan. It was spearheaded by BAN Toxics and International Labor Organization in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Office of the Assistant Secretary for Mining Concerns. Asec. Nonita S. Caguioa, DENR Assistant Secretary for Mining Concerns, and Atty. Wilfredo G. Moncano, Acting Director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, graced the summit. MGB Central Office technical personnel; Ban Toxics staff; International Labor Organization representatives; small-scale mining focal persons from all MGB Regional Offices; and continue reading : MGB ROXIII attends small-scale mining summit in Compostela Valley

MGB ROXIII conducts Workshop on the Evaluation of Work Programs for Non-metallic Resources

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII conducted the Workshop on the Evaluation of Work Programs for Non-metallic Resources on July 3-4, 2019 at the MGB RO No. XIII Conference Room in Surigao City.  The workshop aimed to capacitate the technical personnel of Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO)-Agusan del Sur and Butuan City in evaluating the Work Programs submitted by a Qualified Person as mandatory requirements for Quarry Permit application at the Provincial/City Mining Regulatory Board. Technical personnel from the MGB RO No. XIII, PENRO-Agusan del Sur and Butuan City participated in the workshop.  Regional Director Glenn Marcelo C. Noble delivered the Welcome Remarks.  Lectures were given by technical personnel from the Monitoring and Technical Services Section of MGB RO No. XIII. Engr. Brenice Ann M. Gendeve-Castillo gave a presentation on Mining Tenements Issued by Provincial Governor/City Mayor thru the Provincial/City Mining Regulatory Board.Following that,Engr. Crystal continue reading : MGB ROXIII conducts Workshop on the Evaluation of Work Programs for Non-metallic Resources

MGB ROXIII joins kickoff activities of National Disaster Resilience Month Celebration

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII joined the kickoff activities of the National Disaster Resilience Month (NDRM) Celebration on July 2, 2019. With the theme “Kahandaan sa Sakuna’t Peligro para sa Tunay na Pagbabago,” the NDRM was officially opened with a Thanksgiving Eucharistic Mass at Sto. Niño Shrine in Libertad, Butuan City. It was then followed by a motorcade from Butuan City to Magallanes, Agusan del Norte where the opening program, coastal cleanup and mangrove planting activities were all conducted. The event was spearheaded by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Caraga and Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC). Twelve personnel from MGB ROXIII, together with government employees, responders and other stakeholders, actively participated in the activities. The event aimed to promote the importance of disaster resilience especially on the four thematic areas of disaster, namely disaster prevention and mitigation, disaster preparedness, disaster response, and continue reading : MGB ROXIII joins kickoff activities of National Disaster Resilience Month Celebration

MGB ROXIII supports initiative to compile and estimate Caraga Asset Account for Mineral Resources

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII supported the initiative on the compilation and estimation of mineral accounts in Caraga Region which is spearheaded by the Phillipine Statistics Authority-Regional Statistical Services Office XIII (PSA RSSO XIII). The Convening/Organization of the Steering Committee and Creation of Technical Working Group (TWG) for Caraga Asset Account for Mineral Resources was held on May 16, 2019 at the PSA RSSO XIII Training Room in Butuan City. It was attended by representatives from different Regional Line Agencies involved in the study of mineral accounts. The meeting aimed to achieve the following objectives: organize the Steering Committee; create the Technical Working Group (TWG); determine the permanent members of the TWG; and finalize the Terms of Reference of the Steering Committee and the TWG. The primary purpose of the said meeting was to create the Steering Committee and the TWG. The Steering Committee must be continue reading : MGB ROXIII supports initiative to compile and estimate Caraga Asset Account for Mineral Resources

MGB ROXIII continues to raise awareness on Mineral Resources, Geosciences and Gender and Development

In keeping with the programs under its 2019 Communication Plan for Minerals Development, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII continued to raise awareness on its regulatory functions and the socioeconomic contributions of the minerals industry. The Awareness on Mineral Resources and Geosciences and IEC Campaign on Gender and Development were conducted on May 8 to 10, 2019 at Barangays Mahayahay, Don Ruben and San Juan in the Municipality of San Jose, Province of Dinagat Islands. The Officials and Staff of the aforementioned barangays participated in the activity. Identified representatives from the academe, religious sector and civil society organizations were also invited to take part in it. 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 continue reading : MGB ROXIII continues to raise awareness on Mineral Resources, Geosciences and Gender and Development

MGB ROXIII plays a part in DENR’s R.I.V.E.R.S. for Life Search Program

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII played a part in the document evaluation and field validation of identified river systems as entries for the 2018 Search for Recognizing Individuals/Institutions towards Vibrant and Enhanced Rivers (R.I.V.E.R.S.) for Life Award launched by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The DENR Caraga Regional Executive Director, Atty. Felix S. Alicer, issued a Special Order creating the Regional Committee on the R.I.V.E.R.S. for Life Search Program which comprised representatives from DENR Caraga Regional Office and its Line Bureaus. Ms. Christie A. Apale, Senior Science Research Specialist, represented MGB ROXIII in the said committee.   The primary objective of the award is to raise awareness on the need to protect and conserve the country’s rivers as the lifeblood of Earth and human civilization. It recognizes the concerted efforts of various stakeholders, specifically the Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices (CENROs) and Provincial continue reading : MGB ROXIII plays a part in DENR’s R.I.V.E.R.S. for Life Search Program

MGB ROXIII heightens mining awareness of Diocese of Surigao

To heighten the awareness of the religious sector on mining, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII conducted the Awareness on Mineral Resources in the Provinces of Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands for the Diocese of Surigao on April 10, 2019 at the Cathedral Parish Hall of San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish in Surigao City. The activity aimed to enrich the knowledge of the religious sector on mineral resources in general and the mining industry in particular. It was attended by the clergy, nuns, seminarians and Social Action workers of the Diocese of Surigao. Mr. Romeo M. Dalodado, Geosciences Division Chief of MGB ROXIII, and select technical personnel gave substantial presentations on Geology and Mineralization of Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands; Mining Policies and Tenement Updates; Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program; Employment and Taxes derived from Mining; and Social Development and Management Program. The positive impacts continue reading : MGB ROXIII heightens mining awareness of Diocese of Surigao

MGB ROXIII carries out 1:50,000 scale Groundwater Resource Assessment and Mapping in Malimono, Surigao del Norte

            In line with the National Groundwater Resource Mapping and Assessment Program of the DENR-Mines and Geosciences Bureau, a technical team from the Geosciences Division of MGB Regional Office No. XIII carried out the 1:50,000 scale Groundwater Resource Mapping and Assessment in Malimono, Surigao del Norte from March 18 to 30, 2019.             This project is the next phase after the completion of the 1:250,000 scale, province-wide Groundwater Resource Mapping and Assessment in 2018. It aims to determine the groundwater availability in relation to the local geological setting; identify potential areas for future groundwater development and/or extraction; and identify factors that may affect the water quality of the existing water supply in the target area.             The said mapping activity includes field mapping such as reconnaissance geological survey and inventory of water sources (wells, springs and impounded creeks and rivers if they are used as main water sources in some continue reading : MGB ROXIII carries out 1:50,000 scale Groundwater Resource Assessment and Mapping in Malimono, Surigao del Norte