MGB Stakeholders’ Forum: Strengthening partnerships and fostering national progress

In keeping with the 2021 Mining Month Celebration, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau conducted the Stakeholders’ Forum entitled #MineResponsibility: Know MINE, Know LIFE on November 18 to 19, 2021 via Zoom Platform and Facebook Live. The forum aimed to intensify the awareness of participants on the salient features of recent policies and developments issued by MGB in order to strengthen partnerships with stakeholders and foster the promotion of responsible mining for national progress. On the first day of the forum, MGB Director Wilfredo G. Moncano formally welcomed the participants while Usec. Jim O. Sampulna, DENR Undersecretary for Enforcement, Mining, and Muslim Affairs, and Asec. Nonita S. Caguioa, DENR Assistant Secretary for Finance, Information Systems and Mining Concerns delivered inspirational messages. The forum featured the following presentations from the minerals industry as well as from the MGB Central Office: Telling Our Story ― Communicating Responsible Mining to Non-MinersMr. Jose Bayani D. continue reading : MGB Stakeholders’ Forum: Strengthening partnerships and fostering national progress

MGB ROXIII spearheads SHES Manual Roll-out

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII spearheaded the Safety and Health, Environment and Social Development (SHES) Manual Roll-out on November 11-12, 2021 via Zoom Platform.    The two-day activity aimed to capacitate the participants in line with the program outlines and guidelines of the said manual in compliance with MGB Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 2021-006 in order to ensure a standardized implementation of management measures in addressing the safety and health, environmental and social attributes inherent in exploration/mining/mineral processing operations. The said activity was attended by Mine Safety, Environment and Social Development Division (MSESDD) and Mine Management Division (MMD) personnel of MGB Regional Office Nos. III and XIII who are expected to be equipped with the program outlines and guidelines of the said manual virtually discussed by the technical personnel of MGB Central Office.   The program formally commenced with the Welcome Remarks of Engr. Marcial H. continue reading : MGB ROXIII spearheads SHES Manual Roll-out

Caraga MRFC meetings and MMT inspections: Pressing on with public service amidst the pandemic

The Mine Rehabilitation Fund Committees (MRFCs) and the Multi-partite Monitoring Teams (MMTs) of Caraga mining companies have pressed on with their respective duties by conducting regular and special meetings and inspections amidst the pandemic. It may be recalled that the MRFC is a body that consists of private and public entities. One of its major duties and responsibilities is to ensure that the approved Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program (EPEP)/Annual EPEP (AEPEP) of the mining and mineral processing projects shall be strictly implemented. The MRFC deputizes the MMT as its monitoring arm.  The MRFC meetings and MMT inspections are regularly conducted quarterly for operating companies and semi-annually for non-operating companies. The unprecedented effects of the pandemic, which include a series of lockdowns and quarantine protocols, hampered the conduct of the meetings and inspections.  In response to the current situation, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) released Regional Memorandum Order (RMO) continue reading : Caraga MRFC meetings and MMT inspections: Pressing on with public service amidst the pandemic

MGB ROXIII, CREDO Caraga, Inc. sign Memorandum of Agreement on Caraga Mining and Geosciences Library

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Regional Office No. XIII and the Community Relations, Education and Development Officers Organization-Caraga, Inc. (CREDO-Caraga, Inc.), in partnership with the Caraga minerals industry, have signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on the co-management and turnover of the Caraga Mining and Geosciences Library on November 19, 2021 at the MGB Regional Office No. XIII in Surigao City. Present during the MOA signing were Engr. Larry M. Heradez, OIC-Regional Director; Engr. Francis Glenn N. Suante, Officer-In-Charge of Mine Safety, Environment and Social Development Division; and Mr. Elecito E. Escuyos, Chief of Social Development Section.  From the minerals industry, Mr. Alex C. Arabis, Community Relations Manager of Platinum Group Metals Corporation and  CREDO-Caraga, Inc. President, and Ms. Nissi Aline S. Alvarez, Information, Education, Communication Officer of Taganito Mining Corporation and CREDO-Caraga, Inc. Secretary, took part in the activity. The establishment of the Caraga Mining and Geosciences Library continue reading : MGB ROXIII, CREDO Caraga, Inc. sign Memorandum of Agreement on Caraga Mining and Geosciences Library

PMRB Agusan del Sur and Contract Holders sign Small-Scale Mining Contracts

The Provincial Mining Regulatory Board (PMRB) of Agusan del Sur and Contract Holders signed the Small-Scale Mining Contracts (SSMCs) of Rosario Manobo Tribal Association (ROMATRA), Lilibeth R. Tion (LRT) and VPO Enterprise and Gold Processing (VPOEGP) under the Declared Minahang Bayan of Masabong Village Small-Scale Miners Association, Inc. (MAVISSMA) on November 12, 2021 at the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Regional Office No. XIII in Surigao City. MGB Caraga OIC-Regional Director and PMRB Chair of Agusan del Sur, Engr. Larry M. Heradez, together with Mr. Ryan N. Canal, authorized representative of ROMATRA; Ms. Lilibeth R. Tion; and Mr. Vivencio P. Ocite, Jr., signed the second and last renewal of the SSMCs which are all situated within the Declared Minahang Bayan area of MAVISSMA located in Bgry. Bayugan 3, Rosario, Agusan del Sur. MAVISSMA is one of the first Minahang Bayan areas in the country which was declared through PMRB Resolution continue reading : PMRB Agusan del Sur and Contract Holders sign Small-Scale Mining Contracts

New MGBEA Region XIII Chapter Officers take oath of office

The new Mines and Geosciences Bureau Employees Association (MGBEA) Region XIII Chapter Officers took their oath of office before OIC-Regional Director Larry M. Heradez on October 22, 2021 at the MGB Regional Office No. XIII in Surigao City.     Below is the roster of MGBEA Region XIII Chapter Officers for CY 2021-2023: President  CHRISTIE A. APALE Vice President MARIE PENNELOPE E. FANG Secretary MARY LUZ E. POMOY Assistant Secretary MELYN B. DELAMEDE Treasurer JUSRIT ELVIE B. SEGUIS Assistant Treasurer LIZA P. COROTAN Auditor MARGIE ANN P. ENSOMO-ABULENCIA  Assistant Auditor MELVIN A. MANTILLA PRO ERNESTO C. CALZAR Assistant PRO LILIBETH P. GIMOTO The MGBEA is a national organization guided by the principles of equality, fraternity and democracy.  As stated in its Declaration of Principles, the MGBEA is the realization of the employees’ exercise of the right to self-organization, as provided for under the provisions of the Philippine Constitution and the pertinent continue reading : New MGBEA Region XIII Chapter Officers take oath of office

MGB ROXIII conducts Webinar on Safe Spaces Act

In keeping with its continuing education program on Gender and Development, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII conducted a Webinar on Republic Act No. 11313, otherwise known as the Safe Spaces Act, on October 21, 2021 via Zoom Platform. The Gender and Development Focal Point System spearheaded the said webinar which was participated by the employees. OIC-Regional Director Larry M. Heradez delivered an inspirational message at the start of the program.  “This webinar is also part of our continuing education program on Gender and Development… Educating women is indispensable because it enables them to play a vital role and participate in nation building and all-inclusive development. Education is instrumental in preserving women’s empowerment,” OIC-Regional Director Heradez stated.  He also underscored the role of women, together with men, as advocates of optimal learning, social accountability, positive change and authentic development in society.  Atty. Aurora Luanne R. Cembrano-Ramos, Attorney continue reading : MGB ROXIII conducts Webinar on Safe Spaces Act

DENR Assistant Secretary Nonita Caguioa visits Surigao del Norte mines

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources Assistant Secretary for Finance, Information Systems and Mining Concerns, Engr. Nonita S. Caguioa, visited Surigao del Norte mines on October 4 to 5, 2021. To get a glimpse of mining operations in the province, Asec. Caguioa, together with MGB Caraga OIC-Regional Director Larry M. Heradez and select personnel, visited Taganito Mining Corporation (TMC) in Barangay Taganito, Municipality of Claver on October 4 and Greenstone Resources Corporation (GRC) in Barangay Cawilan, Municipality of Tubod on October 5. At TMC, Asec. Caguioa observed the best mining and environmental practices that the company has implemented and sustained. TMC Resident Mine Manager, Engr. Artemio E. Valeroso, and key personnel took Asec. Caguioa, OIC-RD Heradez and the MGB personnel on a tour of the Biodiversity and Central Nursery Area, Lantaw Garden View Deck, Botanical Garden, and Gulayan and Umahan sa Minahan.  The last stop in their itinerary was continue reading : DENR Assistant Secretary Nonita Caguioa visits Surigao del Norte mines

MGB holds Information and Communications Technology Strategic Planning Workshop for FY 2022-2025

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau held a four-day Information and Communications Technology Strategic Planning Workshop for FY 2022-2025 on September 20-21 and 23-24, 2021 through the MGB Virtual Platform, Microsoft Teams. The workshop aimed to finalize the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Plan for FY 2022 and Proposed ICT Plan for FY 2023-2025.  Information Technology Personnel, Information and Communications Technology Focal Persons, Planning Officers, Budget Officers, Property Custodians, Heads of Bids and Awards Committee Secretariat, Document Controllers, Information Technology Specialists, and Computer Maintenance Technologists participated in the said workshop.  The opening part of the workshop was the presentation of the 2020 MGB ICT Accomplishments and Projects Update. The MGB Central Office and MGB Regional Offices took turns in updating the body of the important ICT projects that were deployed and implemented in their respective offices. As for MGB Regional Office No. XIII, the 2020 ICT accomplishments were presented by Mr. continue reading : MGB holds Information and Communications Technology Strategic Planning Workshop for FY 2022-2025

DENR Assistant Secretary Joan Lagunda interfaces with MGB ROXIII

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources Assistant Secretary for Field Operations – Mindanao and Legislative Affairs, Dr. Joan A. Lagunda, visited the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII in Surigao City on September 22, 2021. During her visit, Asec. Lagunda was accompanied by DENR Caraga Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services, For. Maritess M. Ocampo and OIC-PENR Officer of Surigao del Norte, For. Alejandra B. Boiser. The Management and Staff headed by OIC-Regional Director Larry M. Heradez prepared a short program wherein the MGB Regional Office No. XIII and Caraga Minerals Industry Profiles were presented.  In her message, Asec. Lagunda stated the purpose of her visit.  “Since I oversee the regions here in Mindanao, my role is to motivate and inspire the personnel to do their jobs effectively and efficiently and at the same time monitor and evaluate the physical and financial accomplishments.  I came here to continue reading : DENR Assistant Secretary Joan Lagunda interfaces with MGB ROXIII