The Mines and Geosciences Bureau conducted the Orientation-Workshop on New MGB Policies and 2018 Mid-Year Management Conference on July 31 to August 3, 2018 at the Hotel Rembrandt in Quezon City.
The activity was participated by technical personnel from the Mine Management Division (MMD) and the Mine Safety, Environment and Social Development Division (MSESDD) of the Regional Offices. The activity aimed to ensure the efficient monitoring of tenements, safety and health, environmental management and social development (T-SHES) compliance requirements using the revised monitoring checklist as well as accomplishing the scorecard to determine the level of compliance of mining companies. Similarly, it aimed to orient the MGB technical personnel on the procedure for apprehension and other activities related to DENR efforts to curb illegal mining operations in the country.
The MGB Director, Atty. Wilfredo G. Moncano, delivered the welcome address during the opening ceremony. He imparted that DENR is collaborating with other agencies to come up with more effective rehabilitation strategies for mined out areas and viable temporary revegetation methods for inactive mining areas. On the same note, he encouraged the participants to assist in the goal to reinvent mining and disprove some misconceptions by implementing standards on mine rehabilitation and uniform monitoring methods in all regions.
The first day of the orientation-workshop focused on MGB Memorandum Circular No. 2018-01 Re: Guidelines in the Conduct of Apprehension, Seizure, Confiscation and Disposition of Illegally Sourced Minerals/Mineral Products and By-Products, Tools, Conveyances and Equipment Used. Efforts of MGB to curb illegal mining operations were highlighted specifically being in the front line as team leaders of the National Task Force Mining Challenge. The simulation activity included a role playing on the correct way to apprehend, seize, confiscate and dispose materials used in illegal mining operations.
The second and third days of the orientation-workshop revolved around the discussion on MGB Memorandum Circular No. 2018-02 Re: Guidelines for Compliance Monitoring and Rating/Scorecard of Mining Permits/Contracts. Provision of monitoring checklist guides, workshop on filling-up the monitoring checklist, provision of monitoring scorecard guide and workshop of filling-up the monitoring scorecard engaged the participants’ interest and involvement. Some of the participants presented the workshop outputs on the last day of the activity.
The Mid-Year Management Conference was then held on August 4, 2018 at the same venue. It started with the mid-year assessment of the accomplishments of all Regional Offices. The second part centered on the discussion of operational issues specifically on approved policies, proposed policies and congressional issues and concerns.
