The Mines and Geosciences Bureau facilitated the Training-Workshop and Capacity Building for MGB Personnel Responsible for Statistical Data Generation and Analysis and Information Dissemination on October 16 to 20, 2023 at Swiss-Belhotel Blulane in Sta. Cruz, Manila.

Primarily aimed at capacitating Information Officers, Economists, Information Technology Specialists, System Network Administrators and Information Technology Focal Persons in the performance of their duties and responsibilities, the five-day training also aimed to keep them abreast of the current trends and cutting-edge tools in social media management and data visualization. 

The training was packed with plenaries, workshops and breakout sessions.  It featured presentations on Description of Performance Indicators of Regional Offices by Mr. Ariel A. De Jesus, Development Management Officer III of Mineral Statistics Section and Proposed Standardization of Regional Websites, Creation of MGB Website Content Calendar, Social Media Management Tools, Creation of MGB Social Media Content Calendar and Data Visualization using Flourish and Canva by Mr. Mark Carlo H. Cruz, Information Systems Analyst II of Mineral Statistics Section.

Breakout Sessions were also facilitated for three groups, namely the Statistics/Economics Section, the Information, Education, and Communication Group and the Information Technology Specialists, System Network Administrators, and Information Technology Focal Persons Group for more specialized learning sessions and focused discussions.

The breakout sessions of the Statistics/Economics Section was led by Ms. Marjorie C. Martinez, Statistician IV of the Mineral Statistics Section.  Presentations on Updates and Recent Developments on Mineral Statistics Generation, Statistical Reporting System, and Enhancement of Mineral Statistics Corner were given during the sessions.  Similarly, small group discussions on challenges encountered during data collection were carried out and followed by the presentation of output by Regional Offices.  In addition, a presentation on Regional Asset Accounts for Mineral Resources was given by Ms. Virginia M. Bathan, Chief Statistical Specialist of the Philippine Statistics Authority-Environment and Natural Resources Accounts Division.

As for the Information, Education, and Communication Group, the sessions were led by Engr. Edgar D. Madera, Engineer IV of the Mineral Information and Publication Section.  In-depth discussions on relevant issues and concerns centered on the advancement of the Communication Plan were carried out.  It was then followed by the thorough crafting of the Communication Plan for 2025-2027 and presentation of Accomplishment Reports by the Information Officers.

In the same way, the sessions of the Information Technology Specialists, System Network Administrators, and Information Technology Focal Persons were conducted by Mr. Mark Carlo H. Cruz and Mr. Gaudencio L. Crisostomo, Information Technology Officer I of Mineral Statistics Section.  Presentations on the Finalization of Regional Input Regarding Proposed Website Standardization, Regional Accomplishments, Updates, Upcoming Activities and Challenges on Website Management and Regional Output on the Proposed Website Standardization were given and discussed in detail.        

Towards the end of the training, the agreements, the commitments, and the ways forward were presented for reference of the participants.  The event concluded with the Closing Remarks of Engr. Romualdo D. Aguilos, Chief of the Mineral Economics, Information and Publication Division, and photo opportunities with the participants. 




By:

MARIE PENNELOPE E. FANG
Administrative Officer IV