MGB ROXIII and Appropriate Experts deliberate over 2016 ASDMP of Caraga mining companies

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII, together with national line agencies and non-government organizations as Appropriate Experts, deliberated over the 2016 Annual Social Development and Management Program (ASDMP) of Caraga mining companies on March 8 to 11, 2016 at the MGB Training Center in Surigao City. The deliberations of the ASDMP were done in cluster with the objectives that there will be no duplication of Projects/Programs/Activities (PPAs) and/or double charging of PPAs to the mining companies with common communities as well as to promote transparency and social responsibility.  The SDMP aims to create responsible, self-reliant and resource-based communities capable of developing, implementing and managing community development programs, projects, and activities in a manner consistent with the principle of people empowerment. Engr. Alilo C. Ensomo, Jr., MGB XIII Regional Director, has emphasized that the SDMP as a sustainable development program is intended for the general welfare of mining continue reading : MGB ROXIII and Appropriate Experts deliberate over 2016 ASDMP of Caraga mining companies

MGB ROXIII and various national line agencies celebrate Blue Day

In observance of the 2016 National Women’s Month with the theme “An Karajawan ni Juana, Ilakip sa Adyenda!,” personnel from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII celebrated Blue Day on March 8, 2016 at the Surigao City Boulevard. Bringing with them festive blue balloons, representatives from various national line agencies participated in the said activity. The significance of the event is to promote the advocacy as it raises the level of public awareness of gender-related issues and appreciation for women’s contributions to society. The activity started with a fun walk from the City Hall compound down to the City Boulevard in front of the City Police Station where a short program was held. Dr. Arlene T. Felizarta of the Surigao City Health Office delivered a short message about the story behind the activity and how Blue Day came to be. She also thanked the women who actively continue reading : MGB ROXIII and various national line agencies celebrate Blue Day

MGB ROXIII joins 12th Women’s Month Kalandrakas

In keeping with the 2016 National Women’s Month Celebration, personnel of theMines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII joined the 12th Kalandrakas on March 8, 2016 at Balanghai Hotel & Convention Center in Butuan City. With the theme “Kaayuhan ni Juana, I-apil sa Adyenda!,” the event was spearheaded by the Gender and Development Coordinating Council Committee (GADCC) under the Regional Development Council of Caraga with the support of national line agencies and local government units.  Ms. Edna S. Hontiveros, Vice Chair of the RDC-GADCC, delivered a message to welcome all guests and participants. Her message primarily focused on the contributions of women in society with emphasis on social issues that still need to be addressed. Atty. Allen M. Gasulas of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG-Caraga) discussed the role of their department in addressing women’s issues in the bureaucracy. The highlight of the celebration was the continue reading : MGB ROXIII joins 12th Women’s Month Kalandrakas

THPAL Nickel Corporation conducts Public Consultation for its Scandium Recovery Project

Taganito HPAL Nickel Corporation conducted a public consultation for its proposed Scandium Recovery Project on March 4, 2016 at the Taganito Sports and Cultural Center in Claver, Surigao del Norte. The company conducted the said consultation in cooperation with its Environmental Impact Assessment Preparer, Philkairos, Inc., and the Environmental Management Bureau.  Representatives from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII, Parish Pastoral Council and Reach Foundation were also present as observers. The residents of Brgys. Urbiztondo, Taganito, Hayanggabon and Cagdianao in the Municipality of Claver, Surigao del Norte took part in the activity. The proposed Scandium (Sc) Recovery Facility will cover 1.4 hectares of land within the present THPAL area. It will utilize the barren liquor that may contain traces of scandium, iron, aluminum and chromite, which is presently discarded as waste from the high pressure acid leaching process. The barren liquor is allowed to pass through a continue reading : THPAL Nickel Corporation conducts Public Consultation for its Scandium Recovery Project

Caraga mining companies post 2015 Annual EPEP financial accomplishments

Mining companies in Caraga Region have implemented the 2015 Annual Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program (AEPEP) in compliance with Section 171 of DENR Administrative Order No. 2010-21, the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 7942, otherwise known as the Philippine Mining Act of 1995. Grouped according to company location by province, below are the financial accomplishments of mining companies:  Name of Company Annual Accomplishment (Php) Surigao del Norte 1. Pacific Nickel Phils., Inc. Php 14,555,044.96 2. Hinatuan Mining Corporation – Talavera Nickel Project Php 59,976,288.54 3. Greenstone Resources Corporation Php 25,376,062.00 4. Adnama Mining Resources, Inc. Php 19,612,068.04 5. Taganito Mining Corporation Php 208,111,446.72 6. Taganito HPAL Nickel Corporation Php 2,173,762,532.57 7. Platinum Group Metals Corporation Php 110,404,456.00 Surigao del Sur 1. CTP Construction and Mining  Corporation – Adlay Project Php 106,892,387.70 2. CTP Construction and Mining  Corporation – Dahican Project Php 20,350,363.44 3. Carrascal Nickel  Corporation continue reading : Caraga mining companies post 2015 Annual EPEP financial accomplishments

MGB ROXIII participates in the CSU MEM and MSCS Program Stakeholder Evaluation Workshop

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII representative, Mr. Carl Orven C. Eludo, attended the Master in Environmental Management (MEM) and Master of Science in Crop Science (MSCS) Program Stakeholder Evaluation Workshop on February 27, 2016 at the Caraga State University Conference Room in Butuan City. The main purpose of the workshop is for CSU to collect inputs from the stakeholders in its plan for the revision and consolidation of both master’s courses into one. CSU encouraged the various stakeholders to help them formulate the right subjects that should be offered for the said course. Dr. Rowena P. Valera also explained that the planned consolidated Master’s Degree will be offered through a ladderized program and in modular type once it is approved. The following workshops were conducted, to wit: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT Analysis) by Engr. Calomot; MEM and MSEM Program Revision facilitated by Engr. Calomot; continue reading : MGB ROXIII participates in the CSU MEM and MSCS Program Stakeholder Evaluation Workshop

MGB ROXIII and various national line agencies present respective FY 2017 Budget Proposals at the RDC-EDC Budget Consultation with the Civil Society Organization

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII and various national line agencies presented their respective FY 2017 Budget Proposals at the Regional Development Council – Economic Development Committee (RDC-EDC) Budget Consultation with the Civil Society Organization on February 24, 2016 at Balanghai Hotel and Convention Center in Butuan City. The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Director, Ms. Mylah Faye Aurora B. Cariño, emphasized the importance of the said consultation in her Welcome Remarks. Dir. Cariño stressed that it is one of the requirements prior to the endorsement of the proposed budget to national level. The presence of the Civil Society Organization shows its significant role in the budget formulation of each agency. She also gave a presentation on the Regional Budget Guidelines for FY 2017. Engr. Emmanuel Z. Gidacan, Chief EDS of NEDA, presented the mechanics of the workshop.  After the presentation, the participants were divided continue reading : MGB ROXIII and various national line agencies present respective FY 2017 Budget Proposals at the RDC-EDC Budget Consultation with the Civil Society Organization

GSD personnel take part in the 77th PIChE Annual Convention

The Geosciences Division personnel of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII took part in the 77th Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers (PIChE) National Convention with the theme “Chemical Engineers Addressing Challenges of ASEAN Integration” on February 17-20, 2016 at Boracay Ecovillage Resort and Convention Center on Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan. In anticipation of the great opportunities that the ASEAN integration will open up for Filipino professionals, the convention heightened the consciousness of PIChE members to enhance their professional competencies to be on a par with their other Asian counterparts.  Engr. Francisco A. Arellano, one of the members of the Board of Chemical Engineering, elucidated that the opening of barriers which would allow the practice of foreign professionals in our country will not be a threat to our labor force. He added that there are remaining issues and gaps that need to be resolved in order for continue reading : GSD personnel take part in the 77th PIChE Annual Convention

MGB ROXIII personnel join the One Billion Rising Revolution

Personnel of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII joined the One Billion Rising event on February 12, 2016 at the Robinson’s Mall Atrium in Butuan City. With the theme “One Billion Rising: Rise for Revolution,” the event was spearheaded by the Gender and Development Coordinating Council Committee (GADCC) under the Regional Development Council of Caraga with the support of national line agencies.  The GADCC Co-Chairperson, Ms. Edna S. Hontiveros, delivered a short message about the history of the One Billion Rising movement and its advocacies. One Billion Rising is the biggest mass action to end violence against women in history.  This year’s theme calls for “structural, systemic, long-term change” to intensify actions and advocacies to put an end to women abuse and domestic violence. The highlight of the event was the unified dance entitled “Break the Chain” which was led by the Department of Interior and Local continue reading : MGB ROXIII personnel join the One Billion Rising Revolution

MGB R XIII Geosciences Division conducts GIS Technology Orientation and Echo of Basic Training of ArcGIS 10.1 Software Application

The Geosciences Division of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII, conducted a two-day GIS Technology Orientation  and Echo of Basic Training of ArcGIS 10.1 Software Application for selected MGB RXIII GIS users on February 11-12, 2016 at the MGB-XIII Training Center in Surigao City. The orientation and training were conducted in line with the technological innovation of Lands Geological Survey and Mapping Program of the DENR-Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Central Office towards the sophisticated adaptation on the widely embedding Geographical Information System (GIS) Technology for any scientific research study, purposely for National Disaster Risk Reduction Program of the Government of the Philippines wherein ArcGIS 10.1 is one of the powerful software applications use for this technology as the basis for geoscientific study. The purpose of the said Orientation and Training was to further enhance the scientific understanding of participants towards Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), continue reading : MGB R XIII Geosciences Division conducts GIS Technology Orientation and Echo of Basic Training of ArcGIS 10.1 Software Application