MGB ROXIII conducts Karst Subsidence Hazard Mapping and Assessment in Burgos, Surigao del Norte

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII conducted the Karst Subsidence Hazard Mapping and Assessment on June 29 to July 17, 2021 in the Municipality of Burgos, Province of Surigao del Norte. The said project is one of the annual activities of MGB Regional Office No. XIII in support of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Program of the National Government. The primary objective of the assessment is to determine and locate sinkholes and caves on carbonate-rich lithologies by conducting ground validation and geological and geomorphological assessment in determining the subsidence susceptibility on built-up zones, residential areas, government infrastructures (schools and evacuation centers) and other priority areas identified by concerned Local Government Units (LGUs). The conduct of the karst subsidence hazard mapping is of great importance as ground subsidence due to sinkhole collapse poses a great threat to the community and infrastructures due to its extreme unpredictability. Conducted by continue reading : MGB ROXIII conducts Karst Subsidence Hazard Mapping and Assessment in Burgos, Surigao del Norte

MGB ROXIII accomplishes its Vulnerability and Risk Assessment targets for CY 2021

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII has accomplished its five (5) Vulnerability and Risk Assessment (VRA) targets for CY 2021. The said targets include the Municipalities of Libjo, Tubajon and Cagdianao in the Province of Dinagat Islands and the Municipalities of Sta. Monica and Burgos in the Province of Surigao del Norte. The VRA is a yearly activity of MGB Regional Office No. XIII which aims to develop rain-induced landslide and flood risk information by evaluating existing conditions of vulnerability that could potentially harm exposed elements such as people, critical infrastructures and road networks. In addition, the updating of the municipality’s susceptibility to rain-induced landslide and flood is also incorporated in the conduct of VRA. A team of Geologists and Geologic Aides conducted the VRA which involved data gathering/fieldwork and geographic information system (GIS) processing and risk analysis. The fieldwork included geo-tagging of critical facilities (schools, evacuation continue reading : MGB ROXIII accomplishes its Vulnerability and Risk Assessment targets for CY 2021

MGB strengthens communications toward a better normal

With the dramatic shift in the use of digital technologies and platforms due to the pandemic, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau held the Virtual Training Program with theme Strengthening Communications to a Better Normal on July 13 to 16, 2021 via Zoom Platform. The said training program aimed to enhance the communication skills of the participants and equip them with necessary skills that are vital to virtual event management, website and social media management and crafting and delivery of presentations. Spearheaded by the Mineral Economics, Information and Publication Division (MEIPD) of MGB Central Office, the training was attended by Economists, Information Officers, Information Technology Officers and Planning Officers of MGB Central Office and Regional Offices. The four-day training program featured the following topics: How to Organize a Virtual Event in the Philippines by Ms. Gen Lee Organizing Webinars via Microsoft Teams by Mr. Jay Nebrao Photo and Video Editing by continue reading : MGB strengthens communications toward a better normal

2021 Environment Month Celebration of the Caraga minerals industry: Creating transformative impacts toward ecological restoration

Amidst the continuous threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII and the Caraga Mine Environmental Management Council, Inc. spearheaded the Environment Month Celebration Culmination Program of the Caraga minerals industry on July 9, 2021 via Zoom Platform.   The theme of this year’s celebration is Sama-samang Pagkilos, Sama-samang Paghilom. Ikaw, Ako, Tayo ang Kalikasan. At the program, Engr. Francis Glenn N. Suante, Officer-in-Charge of the Mine Safety, Environment and Social Development Division, delivered the Welcome Remarks. OIC-Regional Director Larry M. Heradez also delivered a message.  “Let us be inspired by the National Government’s pursuit of development which is anchored on the commitment to Malasakit at Pagbabago or True Compassion and Real Change by taking initiatives, making eco-friendly choices and raising our voices to intensify awareness of environmental issues and concerns and create an impact that will eventually lead to nature’s restoration,” he said.  continue reading : 2021 Environment Month Celebration of the Caraga minerals industry: Creating transformative impacts toward ecological restoration

MGB ROXIII Virtual IEC Campaign: Intensifying awareness of Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program in Caraga minerals industry

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII conducted the Virtual Information, Education and Communication Campaign entitled Awareness and Advocacy of Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program in Caraga Minerals Industry on June 30, 2021 via Zoom Platform. The activity is conducted in keeping with the 2021 Philippine Environment Month Celebration with the theme “Sama-samang Pagkilos, Sama-samang Paghilom. Ikaw, Ako, Tayo ang Kalikasan.”  In the same vein, it aims to intensify the participants’ awareness of the regulatory functions of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau particularly the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program. On behalf of OIC-Regional Director Larry M. Heradez, MGB RO No. XIII Chief Geologist Romeo M. Dalodado delivered the Welcome Remarks.  It was followed by the Rationale which was imparted by Engr. Roland Joie G. Geli, Engineer II and MGB RO No. XIII Principal Youth Desk Officer.  Messages were also delivered by OIC- Regional Director Heradez and Dr. Queen continue reading : MGB ROXIII Virtual IEC Campaign: Intensifying awareness of Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program in Caraga minerals industry

2021 DENR-MGB Stakeholders’ Forum: Strengthening policies and partnerships in the minerals industry

The DENR-Mines and Geosciences Bureau conducted the Stakeholders’ Forum: Understanding Recent Policy Issuances Relating to Mining via Zoom Platform and Facebook Live on June 8 to 9, 2021. Aimed at intensifying the awareness of various minerals industry stakeholders on recent mining policies issued by the DENR-MGB, the forum featured the following messages and presentations: June 8 Session Opening RemarksAtty. Wilfredo G. MoncanoMGB Director Welcome AddressEngr. Nonita S. CaguioaDENR Assistant Secretary for Finance, Information System and Mining Concerns Policy Issuances on Mining TenementsEngr. Danilo D. DeleñaOIC-Chief, Mining Tenements Management Division MGB Memorandum Circular No. 2020-004:  Clarificatory Guidelines for the Establishment of the Contingent Liability and Rehabilitation Fund for Dredging Projects/Activities pursuant to the DPWH-DENR-DILG-DOTR Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1 Series of 2019Engr. Marcial H. MateoOIC-Chief, Mine Safety, Environment and Social Development Division June 9 Session MGB Memorandum Order No. 2020-007: Policy on Online Filing of Application and PaymentEngr. Juancho Pablo S. CalvezChief, continue reading : 2021 DENR-MGB Stakeholders’ Forum: Strengthening policies and partnerships in the minerals industry

MGB conducts Workshop on Standardization of Regional Monitoring System

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) conducted the Workshop on the Results of the CY 2020 Audit of Regional Monitoring System and Other Related Matters on April 19 to 23, 2021 via Microsoft Teams Platform. Technical personnel from all MGB Regional Offices took part in the five-day activity. In his opening remarks, MGB Director Wilfredo G. Moncano encouraged everyone to look into the provisions of Executive Order No.130 with the following highlights: The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) shall formulate the terms and conditions in the new mineral agreements that will maximize government revenues and share from production, including the possibility of declaring these areas as mineral reservations to obtain appropriate royalties, in accordance with the existing laws, rules and regulations. The DENR shall likewise undertake a review of existing mining contracts and agreements for possible renegotiation of the terms and conditions of the same which, in all continue reading : MGB conducts Workshop on Standardization of Regional Monitoring System

DENR Caraga holds MGB Regional Director Turnover Ceremony

In a simple turnover ceremony held on May 5, 2021 at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga Regional Office in Butuan City, DENR Undersecretary for Enforcement, Mining and Muslim Affairs Jim O. Sampulna officiated the turnover of leadership for the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Regional Office No. XIII between outgoing Regional Director Glenn Marcelo C. Noble and incoming OIC-Regional Director Larry M. Heradez. The said ceremony was held in compliance with MGB Special Order No. 2021-055 dated April 15, 2021 issued by MGB Director Wilfredo G. Moncano and DENR Special Order No. 2021-238 dated May 7, 2021 issued by DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu reassigning RD Noble to MGB MIMAROPA and designating Engr. Heradez as the OIC-RD of MGB Regional Office No. XIII. The MGB Director, Atty. Wilfredo G. Moncano; DENR Caraga Regional Executive Director, For. Nonito M. Tamayo; Environmental Management Bureau OIC-Regional Director, Engr. Albert continue reading : DENR Caraga holds MGB Regional Director Turnover Ceremony

DENR organizes Learning Event on the Establishment of Bamboo Plantation in Mining Areas

In keeping with the instruction of DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu through the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) for the mining companies to establish and maintain a bamboo plantation which is equivalent to 10% of their mined-out areas, the Assistant Secretary for Finance, Information Systems and Mining Concerns, Engr. Nonita S. Caguioa, organized the Learning Event on the Establishment of Bamboo Plantation in Mining Areas in cooperation with the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) on March 11 and April 15-16, 2021.  Representatives from mining companies all over the country and MGB Regional Offices participated in the activity. In view of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the learning event was divided into two parts ― the first part was a virtual training and the second part was an actual field mentoring participated by a limited number of participants. The first day of the learning event was a virtual training composed of continue reading : DENR organizes Learning Event on the Establishment of Bamboo Plantation in Mining Areas

MGB ROXIII takes part in turnover ceremony of Bagakay Mangrove Tourism Trail and Aquaculture Projects

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Regional Office No. XIII took part in the turnover ceremony of the newly constructed Bagakay Mangrove Tourism Trail(Phase II) and Aquaculture Projects on April 1, 2021 in Barangay Bagakay, Claver, Surigao del Norte. The Mangrove Tourism Trail Project is funded under the Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) while the Aquaculture Project is under the Food Security Program through the realigned SDMP and Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program COVID-19 response plan of the Platinum Group Metals Corporation (PGMC).  The projects are managed by the Bagakay River United Tourism Organization (BARUTO) which is a people’s organization comprising 21 member-beneficiaries organized by the PGMC Community Relations Office.  BARUTO aims to generate extra income for the organization and to address food insufficiency amidst the pandemic. With the project cost of P1 Million, the phase 3 of the project worth another P1 Million will commence this year in continue reading : MGB ROXIII takes part in turnover ceremony of Bagakay Mangrove Tourism Trail and Aquaculture Projects