Personnel of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII attended the presentation of the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD)-Funded Projects cum Research Proposal Writeshop on March 9-11, 2016 at the Function Hall of the Department of Science and Technology Regional Office No. XIII in Ampayon, Butuan City.
The three-day activity was a collaboration project between PCIEERD and the Eastern Mindanao Energy and Emerging Technology Research Alliance for Development (EMIEERALD). It was an incorporation of the presentation of the PCIEERD-funded projects and writeshop of research proposals for possible PCIEERD-funded projects for FY 2017.
In his message, the DOST R-XIII ARD for Technical Division, Mr. Ricardo N. Varela, emphasized the importance of holding the said activity because it is an avenue to discuss issues and concerns regarding EMIEERALD and possibly come up with viable research proposals that can be funded by the agency.
The following PCIEERD-funded and completed projects were presented by their respective research leaders:
- Design, Construction and Performance Evaluation of Solar Dryer with Oven Type Biomass Burner as Backup Heater
- Rainfall Spatial Analysis in Butuan City
- Assessment on Groundwater Resources Affected by Small Scale Mining in Brgy. Maibu, Butuan City
The third research project tackled the groundwater resources affected by small-scale mining operations. The said research study shows that hazardous chemicals such as cyanide and mercury are not used in small-scale mining operations in Brgy. Maibu, Butuan City. On the other hand, the presence of coliform in the area is said to be highly alarming.
During the open forum, some participants sought clarification on the conduct and method of the research study considering that cyanide and mercury are commonly used in small-scale mining operations in Brgy. Maibu. A participant from Butuan City supported the result of the study and stated that no presence of mercury and cyanide were detected in the area based on their own monitoring and validation.
Ms. Laarni T. Politon, one of the resource speakers, commended the results of the completed funded projects. She encouraged the participants to formulate research proposals for FY 2017 that could possibly be carried out for funding.
At the end of the activity, seven new research proposals were formulated by various institutions that joined the activity. According to Ms. Politon, the seven proposals are promising enough and could possibly be funded by PCIEERD. The installation of automated water sprinklers is one of the research proposals. This equipment will be designed to minimize dust generated by mining operations. It will be installed most particularly on roads commonly used by mining companies that pass through urban areas of host communities.
