MGB celebrates environment month
 By: Lyndee Rose Basilio

Remaining committed to this year’s theme for World Environment Celebration, “Connecting people to nature, “ and in celebration of the Philippine Environment Month this June 2017 that can be traced to the legislation of the Presidential Decree No. 237 by then Pres. Corazon C. Aquino, declaring the month of June as environment month, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. II is committed for the active participation of its employees for the various activities lined-up for the month-long celebration.

1. Announcement of Philippine Environment Month in Flag Raising Ceremony (June 5, 2017)

RD Mario A. Ancheta informed his staff regarding the Philippine Environment Month Celebration for the whole month of June 2017 during the Monday convocation. He listed the activities of MGB Regional Office No. II hand in hand with DENR, EMB, and the mining companies in the region through the Regional Information, Education, and Communication (RIEC) Team.

2. MGB convenes Regional IEC Team (June 5, 2017)

To inform the mining companies regarding the series of activities for the month of June, MGB Regional Office No. II through RD Ancheta convened the representatives of OceanaGold Phils. Inc., FCF Mineral Corp., and Geogen Corporation to attend the meeting on June 5, 2017 to discuss relevant matters concerning the environment month celebration. The meeting discussed the delegation of tasks for the environment forum, photo exhibit, and IEC materials to be distributed for the said event.

3. Tipon-tipan sa PIA (June 6, 2017)
   

RD Ancheta together with the Regional Directors of DENR Region II and EMB Region II, Atty. Gil A. Aromin and Engr. Cesar S. Siador, respectively attended a media forum dubbed as “tipon-tipan sa PIA” to discuss with the members of the media the lined-up programs and activities regarding the celebration of environment month.

Atty. Aromin informed the press that DENR will conduct environmental symposiums in schools, tree planting activities, and levelling-off with local government units regarding protection of the environment with emphasis on forest protection

On the other hand, RD Siador also informed the media that EMB will hold a multi-sectoral meeting with the governing board of PIESTTA Air Shed which composed of municipalities of: Penablanca, Iguig, Enrile, Solana, Tuguegarao City, Tuao, and Amulung.

Further, RD Ancheta highlighted to the press the conduct of environment forum on June 29, 2017 at Santiago City, Isabela.

The media forum likewise tackled the current situation of mining operations in the region particularly the three large scale mining operations in the Cagayan Valley Region.

4. Clean-up drive (June 9 and 16, 2017)

To upgrade the cleanliness and orderliness of MGB Regional Office No. II, it conducted a general cleaning in the office premises every Friday of June 2017. The clean-up drive was participated in by all the employees of the bureau.

5. Tree planting (June 23, 2017)

On the last Friday of June 2017, MGB R02 employees planted seedlings at MGB R02 compound as part of the celebration of environment month.

After the tree planting, general cleaning in the MGB premises was likewise conducted.

6. Establishment of Environment Booths
   

Hand in hand with the three large-scale mining companies in the region through the Regional IEC Team, environment booths were situated at the MGB compound to inform the bureau’s clientele of the initiatives of the mining companies regarding responsible mining.

7. Distribution of information materials

 ^{As part of the communication plan of the bureau, it distributed comics and pamphlets to the participants of the environment forum and other stakeholders for the wider dissemination of the benefits of mining in the development of the society.}

8. Environment Forum with the theme: “Understanding Policies that govern mining operations and best practices in mining that promote responsible mining”
   

Hand in hand with DENR, EMB, and mining companies in the region, MGB Region II spearheaded the 1^st environment forum on June 29, 2017 at Zen Hotel, Santiago City, Isabela where over 200 participants attended the event.