The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII, in cooperation with the Community Relations, Education & Development Officers Organization (CREDO Caraga), Inc., Chamber of Mines of Caraga Region Incorporated (CMCRI) and Caraga Mine Safety and Health Council (CMSHC), held a press conference on March 16, 2018 at the Philippine Gateway Hotel in Surigao City.

The activity aimed to heighten public awareness of the assistance and rescue efforts of the Caraga minerals industry after the onslaught of Tropical Storm Basyang that inflicted loss of life and property damage.  It also aimed to inform the public of the state of small-scale mining activities in Caraga Region. In addition, the activity was aimed at strengthening the participation of and dialogue between the media and the mining stakeholders in achieving their common goals of ethical mining, ecological sustainability and authentic development.

The Philippine Information Agency Caraga Regional Office and reporters from Surigao del Norte media outfits participated in the press conference. Resident Mine Managers, Community Relations Officers and a good number of personnel from Caraga mining companies attended the activity.

Mr. Romeo M. Dalodado, MGB RXIII Geosciences Division Chief, gave a comprehensive presentation on the Assessment on the Effects of Tropical Storm Basyang in Caraga Region. Engr. Francis Glenn N. Suante, OIC-Chief of MGB RXIII Mine Safety, Environment and Social Development Division, presented the Effects of Tropical Storm Basyang on Caraga Mining Companies while Engr. Lilibeth P. Gimoto, Engineer III of MGB RXIII Mine Management Division, gave a presentation on Small-Scale Mining Updates in Caraga Region. In the same way, the Chamber of Mines of Caraga Region Incorporated (CMCRI) presented the Rescue and Relief Operations of Caraga Mining Companies after the onslaught of Tropical Storm Basyang. The photodocumentation of the rescue and relief operations was also shown.

After the presentations, reporters from Surigao del Norte media outfits asked questions and raised various issues during the Question and Answer Session facilitated by Ms. Susil D. Ragas, Provincial Coordinator of Surigao del Norte and Province of Dinagat Islands Information Center, who acted as the moderator. Towards the end of the press conference, a brief interaction between the media practitioners and the mining stakeholder took place.