The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII pressed on with its awareness campaign in the Province of Agusan del Sur in line with the programs under its 2019 Communication Plan for Minerals Development.
Four barangays were covered by the campaign on the following dates:
Barangay Santa Cruz, Municipality of Rosario November 26
Barangay Consuelo, Municipality of Bunawan November 27
Barangay Wasi-an, Municipality of Rosario November 28
Barangay Bayugan 3, Municipality of Rosario November 29
The Awareness on Mineral Resources and Geosciences and IEC Campaign on Gender and Development aimed to intensify the Sangguniang Barangays’ awareness of the regulatory functions of the MGB RO No. XIII and the socioeconomic contributions of the local minerals industry to the region.
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 also aimed at strengthening ties and linkages with various stakeholders particularly the barangay local government units. The Officials and Staff of the aforementioned barangays participated in the activity.
In the same way, the identified geohazards in the aforesaid barangays were presented in order to strengthen the disaster risk reduction and management capabilities of the barangay local government units. Furthermore, the MGB RO No. XIII Gender and Development Focal Point System presented its gender equality and women’s empowerment goals to recognize the important roles of women in various aspects of development.
The participants’ awareness of the following topics were heightened with presentations and discussions – Mining Policies and Tenement Updates; Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program; Employment and Taxes derived from Mining; Social Development and Management Program; Geohazards and Geology and Gender and Development. At the end of the presentations, an open forum ensued wherein the participants raised issues and concerns in relation to the topics discussed.
The aforementioned barangays are host and neighbouring communities covered by mining operations. On the whole, the participants expressed their appreciation of the benefits obtained from the social development and environmental protection programs of Philsaga Mining Corporation and Mindanao Mineral Processing and Refining Corporation.
Barangay Captains Felicidad A. Ocite of Santa Cruz, Gregorio B. Maloloy-on Sr. of Consuelo, Eduardo E. De Paz of Wasi-an and Michael Rhay V. Hambala of Bayugan 3 expressed their gratitude for the good opportunity to have established a linkage with the MGB RO No. XIII.
