The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII, in cooperation with Philsaga Mining Corporation (PMC), conducted a two-day Basic Life Support and Mass Incident Casualty Training on October 23 to 24, 2019 at Sarnimian Inland Resort in Rosario, Agusan del Sur.
The training aimed to capacitate the small-scale miners in the enhancement of knowledge and skills in first aid administration and the development of quick instincts with regard to emergency response. This specifically aimed to equip the constituents with a responsive attitude should an on-site emergency arise.
The training was held on the three approved small-scale mining contracts within the declared Minahang Bayan of Masabong Village Small-Scale Miners Association (MAVISSMA) in Barangay Bayugan 3, Rosario, Agusan del Sur. Seventy participants namely, small-scale miners, MAVISSMA Board of Directors, barangay and municipal local government unit personnel, PMC emergency response team, and MGB personnel participated in the training.
The first part of the training covered the introduction to the laws governing safety, health, and other related rules and regulations, particularly the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Administrative Order No. 97-30 or the Small-Scale Mine Safety Rules and Regulations conducted by Engr. John Caballero from MGB RO No. XIII. Messrs. Xavier Jay Egay and John Henry Natuplag from the Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices of Loreto and Talacogon presented the 1: 10,000 Flood and Landslide Susceptibility Map of the area. The second part of the training covered the lectures on basic life support as well as the training proper. A mass casualty incident was then simulated right after the training to apply the knowledge acquired by the participants as the first responders of such events in the field.
This activity was carried out in line with the vision of MGB RO No. XIII OIC-Regional Director Glenn Marcelo C. Noble for Caraga to be the center of responsible mining in the Philippines.