The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII, in partnership with Caraga State University (CSU) and the Community Relations, Education and Development Officers Organization–Caraga, Inc. (CREDO), held a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing for the implementation of Information and Communication Technology for Responsible Mining (ICT4RM) 2.0 on July 18, 2025 at the CSU Administrative Conference Room in Ampayon, Butuan City. The initiative aims to enhance the assessment, monitoring, and evaluation of mining resources and their contributions through the use of collective intelligence. It also includes the integration of online applications for Ore Transport Permit (OTP) and Mineral Ore Export Permit (MOEP), as well as the enhancement of the Social Development and Management Program (SDMP). In the same way, the event highlighted the continuing collaboration among the MGB Regional Office No. XIII, Caraga State University (CSU), and Caraga minerals industry in support of the implementation of ICT4RM 2.0. The Memorandum continue reading : MGB ROXIII, CSU and CREDO-Caraga, Inc. ink MOA on ICT4RM implementation

The Professional Regulatory Board (PRB) of Geology conducted an official inspection and monitoring visit at the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII to assess the Bureau’s compliance with professional standards in geological practice today. The monitoring team was composed of Atty. Fernando S. Peñarroyo, Chairman of the PRB of Geology, and Dr. Elmer B. Billedo. Ms. Cherry May A. Mamasu-Espejon, representative of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) Region XIII, also took part in the activity. This activity was conducted in accordance with Section 9 of Republic Act No. 8981, also known as the “PRC Modernization Act of 2000”. The law mandates that professional regulatory boards are responsible for monitoring the conditions affecting the practice of their respective professions and conducting ocular inspections with deputized representatives from the Commission. During the visit, the PRB Monitoring Team reviewed the organizational structure of MGB ROXIlI, with a particular focus on the continue reading : Professional Regulatory Board of Geology visits MGB ROXIII for inspection and monitoring activities

The new Mines and Geosciences Bureau Employees Association (MGBEA) Region XIII Chapter Officers took their Oath of Office before Regional Director Larry M. Heradez on July 14, 2025 at the MGB Regional Office No. XIII in Surigao City.    Below is the roster of MGBEA Region XIII Chapter Officers for CY 2025-2028: President:  LIZA PACETE-COROTANVice President:  ENJIE G. PACILLOS-CAÑETESecretary:  MARY LUZ E. POMOYAssistant Secretary:  IVEE DREA C. ZERDATreasurer:  JUSRIT ELVIE B. SEGUISAssistant Treasurer:  MARGIE ANN P. ENSOMO-ABULENCIAAuditor:  CHRISTIE A. APALEAssistant Auditor:  LILIBETH GIMOTO-BALDAPANPRO:  MARIE PENNELOPE E. FANGAssistant PRO:  KENNETH KARR E. CAGAS The MGBEA is a national organization guided by the principles of equality, fraternity and democracy.  As stated in its Declaration of Principles, the MGBEA is the realization of the employees’ exercise of the right to self-organization, as provided for under the provisions of the Philippine Constitution and the pertinent rules and regulations.  Thus, its members shall not be discriminated continue reading : MGBEA Region XIII ushers in New Leadership with Oath-Taking Ceremony

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 new Mines and Geosciences Bureau Employees Association (MGBEA) Region XIII Chapter Officers took their Oath of Office before Regional Director Larry M. Heradez on July 14, 2025 at the MGB Regional Office No. XIII in Surigao City.    Below is the roster of MGBEA Region XIII Chapter Officers for CY 2025-2028: President:  LIZA PACETE-COROTANVice President:  ENJIE G. PACILLOS-CAÑETESecretary:  MARY LUZ E. POMOYAssistant Secretary:  IVEE DREA C. ZERDATreasurer:  JUSRIT ELVIE B. SEGUISAssistant Treasurer:  MARGIE ANN P. ENSOMO-ABULENCIAAuditor:  CHRISTIE A. APALEAssistant Auditor:  LILIBETH GIMOTO-BALDAPANPRO:  MARIE PENNELOPE E. FANGAssistant PRO:  KENNETH KARR E. CAGAS The MGBEA is a national organization guided by the principles of equality, fraternity and democracy.  As stated in its Declaration of Principles, the MGBEA is the realization of the employees’ exercise of the right to self-organization, as provided for under the provisions of the Philippine Constitution and the pertinent rules and regulations.  Thus, its members shall not be discriminated continue reading : MGBEA Region XIII ushers in New Leadership with Oath-Taking Ceremony

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, in partnership with Caraga State University (CSU) and the Community Relations, Education and Development Officers Organization–Caraga, Inc. (CREDO), held a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing for the implementation of Information and Communication Technology for Responsible Mining (ICT4RM) 2.0 on July 18, 2025 at the CSU Administrative Conference Room in Ampayon, Butuan City. The initiative aims to enhance the assessment, monitoring, and evaluation of mining resources and their contributions through the use of collective intelligence. It also includes the integration of online applications for Ore Transport Permit (OTP) and Mineral Ore Export Permit (MOEP), as well as the enhancement of the Social Development and Management Program (SDMP). In the same way, the event highlighted the continuing collaboration among the MGB Regional Office No. XIII, Caraga State University (CSU), and Caraga minerals industry in support of the implementation of ICT4RM 2.0. The Memorandum continue reading : MGB ROXIII, CSU and CREDO-Caraga, Inc. ink MOA on ICT4RM implementation

The Professional Regulatory Board (PRB) of Geology conducted an official inspection and monitoring visit at the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII to assess the Bureau’s compliance with professional standards in geological practice today. The monitoring team was composed of Atty. Fernando S. Peñarroyo, Chairman of the PRB of Geology, and Dr. Elmer B. Billedo. Ms. Cherry May A. Mamasu-Espejon, representative of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) Region XIII, also took part in the activity. This activity was conducted in accordance with Section 9 of Republic Act No. 8981, also known as the “PRC Modernization Act of 2000”. The law mandates that professional regulatory boards are responsible for monitoring the conditions affecting the practice of their respective professions and conducting ocular inspections with deputized representatives from the Commission. During the visit, the PRB Monitoring Team reviewed the organizational structure of MGB ROXIlI, with a particular focus on the continue reading : Professional Regulatory Board of Geology visits MGB ROXIII for inspection and monitoring activities