MGB participates in Environment celeb

By: Lyndee Rose Basilio

June is Environment Month!

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. II has participated in the celebration of World Environment Day and Philippine Environment Month.

In celebration of the World Environment Day, MGB RO II spearheaded the simultaneous tree planting on June 5, 2016 by the three large mining companies in the region namely: OceanaGold Phils.Inc. in Didipio, Nueva Vizcaya; FCF Minerals Corporation in Runruno, Quezon and Geogen Corporation in  Dinapigue, Isabela.

OceanaGold planted a total of 130 Mayapis (Shorea palosapis) seedlings at the back of their visitor’s centre that was damaged by the slash-and-burn farming activity of the nearby lot owner. While Geogen Corporation through the eight candidates of Bb. Dinapigue also shared their care for Mother Nature where they planted 16 Agoho del Monte seedlings at the Welcome Arc in Dinapigue, Isabela.  FCF Minerals Corp. also planted 1000 seedling with various species of Mahogany, Rain Tree and Acacia along the riverbank of the company’s accommodation and administration facility.

The simultaneous tree planting by the mining companies was in compliance with the directive of Bureau Director Leo L. Jasareno as part of the celebration of the World Environment Day and Philippine Environment Month. 

 A photo exhibit by FCF Minerals Corporation and Geogen Corporation was also situated in MGB Regional Office that showcased the environmental protection measures being practiced by the mining companies. The photo exhibit was displayed for the whole month of June 2016 as part of the celebration of Philippine Environment Month.

RD Mario A. Ancheta likewise encouraged his staff to support environment-friendly materials to help save human nature.

“We should continue to support “Go green” slogan and take the initiative to be mindful of our environment for the future generations,” RD Ancheta said in one his interviews with the media.

With this year’s theme: “Green Economy: Does It Include You?”the Philippine’s celebration of Philippine Environment Month was declared by then President Corazon Aquino’s Proclamation No. 237 on April 4, 1988, declaring the month of June as the Philippine Environment Month not only to give time towards environment protection. But also “as a gesture of the country’s support to the cause of enhancing world ecology and as recognition of the imperative need to instil environmental awareness and concern among various sectors of the Philippine society.

On the other hand, FCF Minerals Corporation celebrated the Environment Month on June 16 through tree planting activity that was held at Brgy. Mauan, Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya. The event was participated by the Community and Social Development Division (CSDD), hand in hand with Provincial Environment and Natural Resources  Office (PENRO) of Nueva Vizcaya headed by Forester Marlon C. Agnar and Community Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO) of Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya headed by For. Constante L. Espiritu. Also, in celebration of the environment month, the company donated a total of 2500 seedlings to DENR-PENRO of Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya.

A coastal cleanup was also conducted by Geogen Corporation as a sign of their concern to the Mother Earth where 240 kilos of residual wastes were gathered. The coastal cleanup was headed by Dr. Elmer Billedo, Project Manager.

As part of their initiative in raising awareness to protect the environment, OceanaGold Phils. Inc., also took part in celebration of the World Oceans Day on June 8, 2016 where they initiated An Annual Ecological Assessment and Biodiversity Monitoring in Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecosystems hand in hand with University of Philippines Los Banos Foundation Incorporated (UPLBFI), Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU) and Quirino State University (QSU). The assessment was aimed to monitor the biological ecology of the riverine in the area. Also being initiated by the company was the search for best practice in river management in Didipio and Addalam River in partnership with International River Foundation (IRF).