Author: Esperidion Amper, Jr.

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII, in cooperation with Philsaga Mining Corporation (PMC), conducted a two-day Basic Life Support and Mass Incident Casualty Training on October 23 to 24, 2019 at Sarnimian Inland Resort in Rosario, Agusan del Sur. The training aimed to capacitate the small-scale miners in the enhancement of knowledge and skills in first aid administration and the development of quick instincts with regard to emergency response. This specifically aimed to equip the constituents with a responsive attitude should an on-site emergency arise. The training was held on the three approved small-scale mining contracts within the declared Minahang Bayan of Masabong Village Small-Scale Miners Association (MAVISSMA) in Barangay Bayugan 3, Rosario, Agusan del Sur. Seventy participants namely, small-scale miners, MAVISSMA Board of Directors, barangay and municipal local government unit personnel, PMC emergency response team, and MGB personnel participated in the training. The first part of continue reading : MGB ROXIII conducts Basic Life Support and Mass Casualty Incident Training

The representatives of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII bagged awards at the 30th National Statistics Month (NSM) Celebration of the Philippine Statistics Authority and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources on October 9 and 11, 2019 in Butuan City. With the theme Data Innovation: Key to a Better Nation, the Opening Program of this year’s celebration was held on October 9, 2019 at the South Atrium of Robinsons Place. The program laid emphasis on the importance of the Census of Population and Housing in the Changing Data Landscape. Presentations on the basic concepts of the census of population and housing, the uses and importance of the census, and the results of the PopCen 2015 were given.  The highlights of the program included competitions on Best Display of Statistical Practices Using Infographics and Stats and Ladders. The Regional Statistics Committee members, together with the line agencies continue reading : MGB ROXIII representatives bag awards at the 30th National Statistics Month Celebration

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII took part in the 26th Annual Mining Symposium and Exhibits on September 5-7, 2019 at Malayan Colleges Mindanao in Davao City. With the theme “It takes a mine to build a road,” the event was spearheaded by the Mindanao Association of Mining Engineers, a chapter of the Philippine Society of Mining Engineers (PSEM). A considerable number of mining companies and regulatory agencies actively participated in the event where best mining practices as well as innovative products and technologies were showcased. Seven mining engineers from the MGB RO No. XIII attended the event. The first day started with the opening of exhibits wherein mining companies exhibited their respective achievements, development initiatives, products and souvenirs. Apart from that, recreational activities were conducted in order to strengthen the camaraderie and sportsmanship among fellow engineers. The symposium proper ensued on the second day of the continue reading : MGB ROXIII takes part in 26th Annual Mining Symposium and Exhibits

In keeping with the programs under its 2019 Communication Plan for Minerals Development, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII carried on with its awareness campaign on August 14 to 16, 2019 at Barangays Puting Bato, Del Pilar and Comagascas in the City of Cabadbaran, Province of Agusan del Norte. The Awareness on Mineral Resources and Geosciences and IEC Campaign on Gender and Development aimed to heighten 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 partnerships with various stakeholders particularly the barangay local continue reading : MGB ROXIII carries on with its awareness campaign in Cabadbaran City

In its efforts to foster quality laboratory performance, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau conducted the Training Course on Awareness of PNS ISO/IEC 17025 : 2015, Review of Basic Metrology, and Hands-on Training on Volume Calibration and Intermediate Check on August 5-9, 2019 at the MGB Central Office Multipurpose Building in Quezon City. With the theme “Enhancing Capabilities and Bridging Gaps Towards Effective Laboratory Performance,” the said trainings and review were spearheaded by the Petrochemistry Unit of Geological Laboratory Services Section under the Lands Geological Survey Division of MGB Central Office. Chemists, Senior Science Research Specialists, Geologists, Senior Environmental Management Specialists and Laboratory Technicians from the MGB Central Office and Regional Offices (Cordillera Administrative Region, RO No. IV-A, RO No. V, RO No. VII, RO No. XII and RO No. XIII) participated in the activities. With these intensive trainings and review, the participants gained a clear understanding of the philosophy and continue reading : MGB fosters quality laboratory performance

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII took part in milestone ceremonies at the Gigaquit National School of Home Industries on June 26, 2019 in Gigaquit, Surigao del Norte. The Turnover of School Projects and Launching of Alternative Learning System-Education and Skills Training (ALS-EST) Training Facility and Bread and Pastry Production National Certificate II (BPP NC II) Assessment Center highlighted the event.  Mr. Jose Gil L. Escabal, GNSHI Principal, was joined by Dr. Fidela M. Rosas, OIC-Assistant Regional Director of the Department of Education Caraga Regional Office; Ms. Julieta P. Erazo, ALS-EST Regional Focal Person; and Mr. Eduardo A. Neuda, Gigaquit Municipal Councilor in the ceremonies.  On the same note, the turnover of various unserviceable instructional and office equipment as well as two vehicles donated by the MGB Regional Office No. XIII ensued.  Engr. Carlos A. Cogolio, Jr., OIC-Chief of Mine Management Division, represented MGB OIC-Regional Director Glenn continue reading : MGB ROXIII takes part in milestone ceremonies at Gigaquit National School of Home Industries

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau conducted a Workshop on the Preparation of Information Systems Strategic Plan 2021-2023 on June 17-21, 2019 at Widus Hotel in Clark, Pampanga. ICT Focal Persons, IT Specialists and Planning Officers from the Central Office and the Regional Offices participated in the said workshop which envisions a fully automated Mines and Geosciences Bureau by the end of year 2023. The Assistant Director, Atty. Danilo U. Uykieng, welcomed the participants and formally opened the workshop. He underlined the importance of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and its positive impacts on daily work at MGB. He shared the MGB management’s vision of fully automated and centralized systems. He also shared that the first steps of this vision had already been laid out through the installation of the MGB Network and hiring of IT Specialists for its maintenance in the past years. Further, he asked the participants to know continue reading : MGB conducts Workshop on the Preparation of Information Systems Strategic Plan 2021-2023

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII conducted a reconnaissance or semi-detailed Geologic Quadrangle Mapping and Assessment of Buenavista and Bayugan River Quadrangles from June 10-25, 2019 in the Municipality of Carmen, Agusan del Norte and Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur. Carried out by a team of four geologists and two support personnel, the activity aimed to generate geo-scientific data and produce 1:50,000 scale map that can provide useful baseline information for mineral, energy and water resources development, engineering and land use planning, disaster risk reduction and environmental applications. The Municipality of Carmen was the last area out of the four municipalities surveyed by the team in Buenavista Quadrangle. The first three municipalities/cities previously assessed were Nasipit, Buenavista and Butuan City in the Province of Agusan del Norte last May 2019. The team traversed the rivers and road cuts with exposed outcrops to identify the types of lithologies continue reading : MGB ROXIII conducts reconnaissance Geologic Mapping and Assessment of Buenavista and Bayugan River Quadrangles

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII received an accolade during the celebration of the 53rd Founding Anniversary of the Bureau of Customs-Port of Surigao on June 18, 2019 in Surigao City. With the theme One Mission, One Team, One BOC, the historic event  was graced by Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero who attended as the Guest of Honor and Speaker.   The local community and the stakeholders of the agency that have helped it grow in the best interest of public service took part in the event. At the commemoration program, the Top 5 Stakeholders (Import/Export) and Partners in Public Service were awarded the Plaques of Recognition.  MGB ROXIII received an accolade for being one of the Bureau of Custom’s partner-government agencies that have helped in the attainment of its mandate to collect lawful revenues, maintain border security and facilitate trade within the Collection District No. IX, continue reading : MGB ROXIII receives accolade at 53rd Founding Anniversary of Bureau of Customs-Port of Surigao