The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) held the 1st Quarter Regional Directors’ Meeting and Management Conference on March 3-6, 2020 at the Garden Orchid Hotel in Zamboanga City.

Hosted by MGB Regional Office No. IX, the event was attended by MGB Acting Director, Atty. Wilfredo G. Moncano, and all Regional Directors who were cordially welcomed by OIC-Regional Director Alfredo T. Relampagos and his staff.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Assistant Secretary for Finance, Information System and Mining Concerns, Engr. Nonita S. Caguioa, also took part in the event together with some Division Chiefs from MGB Central Office. Asec. Caguioa represented DENR Undersecretary for Policy, Planning and International Affairs as well as Supervising Undersecretary for MGB and Environmental Management Bureau, Atty. Juan Miguel T. Cuna.

As part of the event, the participants had a momentary immersion in the Canatuan Gold-Copper Project of TVI Resource Development Philippines Inc. (TVIRD) on March 5 at Sitio Canatuan, Barangay Tabayo, Municipality of Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte where they observed the ongoing Final Mine Rehabilitation/Decommissioning Plan (FMR/DP) implementation of the company. By virtue of its Mineral Production Sharing Agreement, TVIRD is the first mining company in the country to operate upon the enactment of the Philippine Mining Act of 1995. TVIRD’s Canatuan Gold-Copper Project started its commercial operations in 2004 and commenced its FMRDP implementation after it ceased operations in the last quarter of 2014.

Later that day, the turnover ceremony comprising the installation of Engr. Hernani G. Abdon as the new OIC-Regional Director of MGB RO No. IX and the special tribute to outgoing OIC-Regional Director Relampagos took place.