Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga led the unveiling ceremony of the Copper and Gold Project of Silangan Mindanao Mining Company, Inc. (SMMCI) on May 28, 2025 in Barangay Timamana, Municipality of Tubod, Province of Surigao del Norte. Key officials including DENR Undersecretary for Field Operations-Mindanao Joselin Marcus E. Fragada, SMMCI President and Chief Executive Officer Eualio B. Austin, Jr., Surigao del Norte Governor Robert Lyndon S. Barbers, and Congressman Robert Ace S. Barbers took part in the said ceremony. In her keynote message, Secretary Loyzaga highlighted the project’s importance not only to local economic growth but also to the national agenda of promoting responsible and sustainable mineral development. Secretary Loyzaga emphasized that the country’s true competitive advantage lies not merely in mineral extraction, but in the way resources are mined. She stressed that the nation’s mineral wealth should be measured not only by continue reading : DENR Secretary leads unveiling ceremony of SMMCI Copper and Gold Project

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII carried out the geologic mapping of the Kaburacanan Quadrangle from April 8 to May 9, 2025 in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. This undertaking was spearheaded by Senior Geologist Beda Louie Cagampang, with the support of Geologists Gaius Jabez Galope and Alphonse Rey Macion from the General and Economic Geology Section of the Geosciences Division. The primary objective of the mapping activity was to identify and document various lithologic units and geologic structures, as well as to analyze their interrelationships. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of the geologic history and characteristics of the area. The fieldwork was conducted in several barangays along the western boundary of Malaybalay City, including Busdi, St. Peter, Zamboangita, Caburacanan, and surrounding areas. This initiative is part of the National Geologic Quadrangle Mapping Program, a continuing effort under the MGB’s mandate. The program aims to support the continue reading : MGB ROXIII carries out geologic mapping of Kaburacanan Quadrangle

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII participated in the Mindanao Cluster Orientation on DENR Administrative Order No. 2025-10: Guidelines on the Integration of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in the Formulation and Implementation of the Social Development and Management Program on May 15 to 16, 2025 at the Philippine Gateway Hotel in Surigao City. Led by the MGB Central Office, the activity brought together Community Relations Officers from mining companies and mineral processing plants across Mindanao. The orientation aimed to align the implementation of Social Development and Management Program with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals promoting inclusive, resilient and sustainable growth in mining communities. By: ESTEPHANIE A. ODCHIMARMonitoring Officer

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Employees Association held the MGB-MGBEA Continuing Employees’ Welfare Program and Benefits Forum Series 8 on May 6 to 8, 2025 at Brittany Hotel Global South in Las Piñas City. The theme of this three-day forum is “United for Sustainable Public Service: Strengthening the MGB-MGBEA Partnership”.  It aims to uphold the commitment of MGB-MGBEA to promote fair labor-management relations and enhance the capabilities of the employees and the management representatives pursuant to the 2023-2026 MGBEA-MGB Collective Negotiation Agreement, Articles VII (Employees’ Economic Benefits and Incentive Package), VIII (Employees’ Welfare and Professional Development) and IX (Work Environment, Safety and Health). By: MARIE PENNELOPE E. FANGAdministrative Officer IV

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII participated in the Mindanao Cluster Orientation on DENR Administrative Order No. 2025-10: Guidelines on the Integration of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in the Formulation and Implementation of the Social Development and Management Program on May 15 to 16, 2025 at the Philippine Gateway Hotel in Surigao City. Led by the MGB Central Office, the activity brought together Community Relations Officers from mining companies and mineral processing plants across Mindanao. The orientation aimed to align the implementation of Social Development and Management Program with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals promoting inclusive, resilient and sustainable growth in mining communities. By: ESTEPHANIE A. ODCHIMARMonitoring Officer

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Employees Association held the MGB-MGBEA Continuing Employees’ Welfare Program and Benefits Forum Series 8 on May 6 to 8, 2025 at Brittany Hotel Global South in Las Piñas City. The theme of this three-day forum is “United for Sustainable Public Service: Strengthening the MGB-MGBEA Partnership”.  It aims to uphold the commitment of MGB-MGBEA to promote fair labor-management relations and enhance the capabilities of the employees and the management representatives pursuant to the 2023-2026 MGBEA-MGB Collective Negotiation Agreement, Articles VII (Employees’ Economic Benefits and Incentive Package), VIII (Employees’ Welfare and Professional Development) and IX (Work Environment, Safety and Health). By: MARIE PENNELOPE E. FANGAdministrative Officer IV

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga led the unveiling ceremony of the Copper and Gold Project of Silangan Mindanao Mining Company, Inc. (SMMCI) on May 28, 2025 in Barangay Timamana, Municipality of Tubod, Province of Surigao del Norte. Key officials including DENR Undersecretary for Field Operations-Mindanao Joselin Marcus E. Fragada, SMMCI President and Chief Executive Officer Eualio B. Austin, Jr., Surigao del Norte Governor Robert Lyndon S. Barbers, and Congressman Robert Ace S. Barbers took part in the said ceremony. In her keynote message, Secretary Loyzaga highlighted the project’s importance not only to local economic growth but also to the national agenda of promoting responsible and sustainable mineral development. Secretary Loyzaga emphasized that the country’s true competitive advantage lies not merely in mineral extraction, but in the way resources are mined. She stressed that the nation’s mineral wealth should be measured not only by continue reading : DENR Secretary leads unveiling ceremony of SMMCI Copper and Gold Project

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII carried out the geologic mapping of the Kaburacanan Quadrangle from April 8 to May 9, 2025 in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. This undertaking was spearheaded by Senior Geologist Beda Louie Cagampang, with the support of Geologists Gaius Jabez Galope and Alphonse Rey Macion from the General and Economic Geology Section of the Geosciences Division. The primary objective of the mapping activity was to identify and document various lithologic units and geologic structures, as well as to analyze their interrelationships. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of the geologic history and characteristics of the area. The fieldwork was conducted in several barangays along the western boundary of Malaybalay City, including Busdi, St. Peter, Zamboangita, Caburacanan, and surrounding areas. This initiative is part of the National Geologic Quadrangle Mapping Program, a continuing effort under the MGB’s mandate. The program aims to support the continue reading : MGB ROXIII carries out geologic mapping of Kaburacanan Quadrangle