The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII, in cooperation with the Chamber of Mines of Caraga Region, Inc. (CMCRI); Philippine Society of Mining Engineers (PSEM) Caraga Chapter, Inc.; Community Relations, Education and Development Officers Organization (CREDO Caraga), Inc.; Caraga Mine Environmental Management Council (CMEMC) and Caraga Mine Safety and Health Council (CMSHC), held a Press Conference on September 26, 2019 at the Philippine Gateway Hotel in Surigao City.
The Press Conference was one of the activities of the 5th Caraga Mining Symposium and Safety Competition with the theme Mining Industry: A Catalyst for Economically Sustainable and Environmentally Resilient Communities.
The activity aimed to heighten public awareness of the significant contributions of Caraga minerals industry to the national socioeconomic, environmental and safety situations. It also aimed to foster the participation of and dialogue between the media and mining stakeholders in achieving their common goals of responsible mining, ecological sustainability and social development.
The Philippine Information Agency Caraga Regional Office and reporters from Surigao del Norte and Butuan City media outfits participated in the activity. Resident Mine Managers, personnel from Caraga mining companies and various mining stakeholders were also in attendance.
MGB Caraga OIC-Regional Director Glenn Marcelo C. Noble delivered the Welcome Remarks. In his message, he underscored that the event aims to intensify public awareness of the transformative contributions of the Caraga minerals industry. “While the contributions of the minerals industry to the national socioeconomic and environmental situations have been underestimated, the crucial role of mining in daily life is indisputable. Caraga Region’s title as the mining capital of the Philippines is attributed to its vast mineral reserves, tracts of potential mining land and numerous mining operations. The socioeconomic and environmental contributions of the minerals industry are more significant than most people think. The role of this sector in everyday life is to provide essential materials that assist in keeping the other industries going. Without mining, many industries will be immobilized particularly the manufacturing industry. Without mining, the promotion of environmental awareness through reforestation and rehabilitation programs that will yield more renewable sources would not be intensified,” RD Noble stated.
To inform the media of the various activities of the event, Engr. Corsino L. Odtojan, President of Chamber of Mines of Caraga Region, Inc. (CMCRI) and Vice President for Operations of Platinum Group Metals Corporation, walked the media and the mining stakeholders through the Synopsis of the 5th Caraga Mining Symposium and Safety Competition. On the same note, Engr. Joel B. Reyes, Safety Manager of Cagdianao Mining Corporation, gave a presentation on the Best Practices of the Safety and Health Programs of the Mining Companies in Caraga Region.
After the presentations, practitioners from Surigao del Norte and Butuan City media outfits asked questions and raised various issues during the Question and Answer Session facilitated by Ms. Susil D. Ragas, Provincial Coordinator of Surigao del Norte and Province of Dinagat Islands Information Center, who acted as the moderator.
Towards the end of the press conference, a momentary interaction between the media practitioners and the mining stakeholders took place.
