GOVPH

MGB Region II conducts capability building in Nueva Vizcaya

To review the regulatory measures for Small-Scale Mining and to enhance Sand and Gravel extraction activities, a capability – building training for mining officers was conducted last March 30-31, 2016 at Pasalubong Center, Magsaysay, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya.            

MGB Regional Director Mario Ancheta expressed his appreciation to the participants of the event for sharing their time to attend said training.

“I appreciate you for taking off your busy schedule. This venue is a good opportunity to enhance our knowledge, use this opportunity to have some new learning for this will be beneficial to your role as mining officers,” RD Ancheta said in his welcome message.

Nueva Vizcaya Governor Ruth Padilla also graced the event and delivered an inspirational message for the participants, “you all know that we have long expressed that we advocate mining free zone in our province, we are more on the development of our eco-tourism and agricultural sector, this fact will not change,” the honourable Governor said.

“This opportunity is good for us to clarify our concerns in the province, to widen our perspective and to learn what we need to learn about mining. To our Mining Officers, just do your roles as mining officers. Do it not for yourselves but for our province, for your fellow Nuevo Vizcayanos,” Gov. Padilla added.

Meanwhile, Ms. Maribeth G. Tumaliuan, Mining Claims Examiner III gave discussion on the salient features of mining laws, rules and regulations. On the other hand, Engr. Rommel L. Amogan, Chief MSESDD, lectured on the environmental, safety and social aspects of mining. Engr. Geoffrey V. Prado likewise gave lecture on Standard Operating Procedures in apprehension, confiscation and seizure. Mr. Tito Tanguilig, ENRO-Bayombong also gave updates on mining related activities in the province of Nueva Vizcaya.

 After a series of lectures, an open forum was carried out to give opportunity to the participants to clarify issues and concerns.

On the second day of the event, a deputation proper was conducted and facilitated by Ms. Tumaliuan.

An oath taking of deputized Mining Officers was likewise conducted led by RD Ancheta.

After the oath taking, RD Ancheta gave his closing remarks,” to our Mining Officers, perform your functions well as Mining Officers, this is for your province, be vigilant and determined Mining Officers.”

Intensive IEC in Batanes Province held

In the effort of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. II (MGB R0II) to provide vital information in order to mitigate the impacts of geologic hazards, the bureau initiated an intensive Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Campaign on its Geohazard Assessment Program in Batanes Province last May 25-26, 2016.

The said IEC through its Geosciences Division capacitated the residents of Batanes about the National Geohazard Mapping and Assessment Program of the Bureau with the primordial objective to identify areas in the country that are susceptible to geologic hazards.

The Geohazard Program comprises of major activities such as survey of areas that are prone to natural hazards, printing and reproduction of maps and other information materials for dissemination, and conduct of IEC for proper awareness.

The bureau has already completed the 1:50,000 mapping scale in the year 2010 and 1:10,000 scale in 2014 where 93 cities/ municipalities and 2,311 barangays were assessed.

For 2015 onwards, MGB R0II has been conducting intensive IEC region-wide with the primary objective to increase awareness and preparedness of communities on geologic hazards.

“ We cannot prevent disasters, we can only lessen its impact on people and in our communities,” Jose de los Santos Jr., Senior Science Research Specialist.

Barangay officials from Basco, Itbayat, Ivana, Mahatao, Sabtang and Uyugan attended the said IEC where the MGB team discussed about rain-induced landslide hazard, flood hazard and hazard in Karst Areas.

“We can only lessen its impact that pose danger in our lives and properties through proper awareness that these types of disasters,” the Senior Science Research Specialist added.

Geohazard maps and posters were also disseminated per barangay after the lecture.

The maps will serve as their guides in their community-based disaster preparedness plans, in updating of the Comprehensive Land Use Plans and in their development plans needed for mitigating measures on the impact of geohazards in their community. #LRB

Multi-stakeholders meeting conducted

By: Lyndee Rose S. Basilio 

Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. II (MGB R0II) recently spearheaded a Multi-Stakeholders Team (MST) meeting last March 17, 2016 at MGB Conference Hall and was presided by RD Mario Ancheta.

The MST is chaired by the MGB Regional Director and shall be composed of the different government agencies such as Department of Environment and Natural Resources(DENR), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Local Government Units .

MST meeting aims to reassess the performance of the existing mining operation in the region. The said meeting reviewed the performance and compliances of the mining companies to the terms and condition of their permits.

RD Mario A. Ancheta thanked the attendees of the meeting for their time and participation, “thank you for your time and effort of joining us today. This is all for the industry, let us help each other for the development of our industry,” RD Ancheta said in his welcome message.

Meanwhile, Ms. Maribeth Tumaliuan, Mining Claims Examiner III gave brief discussion on Executive Order 79, Administrative Order 2012-07 and the creation of MST.

Engr. Geoffrey V. Prado on the other hand lectured on the tenement background, occupation fees, and status of mining contracts. While Engr. Romeo Watchorna discussed the performances of existing mining contracts for 2014-2015.

After the lecture, an open forum was conducted for clarification and exchange of ideas and information.

Regional Emergency Response Team holds Basic ICS Training

By: Lyndee Rose Basilio

The Regional Emergency Response Team (RERT) headed by Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Regional Office No. II hand in hand with the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) Region II, OceanaGold Phils. Inc., FCF Minerals Corporation and Geogen Corporation recently held a Basic Incident Command System (ICS) Training at Valley Hotel, Alimanao Hilll, Penabalnaca, Cagayan on June 15-17, 2016.

The training was conducted to enhance the knowledge of participants on ICS as a vital tool for effective disaster response.

Engr. Mario A. Ancheta, MGB OIC Regional Director welcomed the participants which are members of RERT from the three large mining companies in the region.

“I thanked the mining companies for joining us in this endeavor. This training will help us in our Emergency Response Program in the region, Ancheta said in his welcome address.

“We are preparing ourselves to ensure that we can save lives when a disaster hits our communities. With this, we can address the needs of the affected areas even outside Cagayan Valley region just like what we have done in Tacloban when Typhoon Yolanda slammed the city,” the Regional Director added.

The speakers during the training were Norma C. Talosig, OCD Regional Director who lectured on the foundation and legal basis of ICS; Andres Galapia, Fire Chief Inspector of Isabela Bureau Fire Protection (BFP) discussed the ICS Organization and Staffing and Incident Assessment and Management Objectives; Ronald Villa, Training Section Chief of OCD lectured about ICS facilities and Incident Resources and Resource Management; William B. Lipit of Provincial Disaster Risk Response and Management Office (PDRRMO) of Quezon Province gave a lecture about Organizing

and Managing Incidents and Events, Incident and Event Planning and Transfer of Command, Demobilization and Closeout.

After a lecture per module the participants were given exercises and activities to apply what have they learned per module. Participants were also asked to submit per group an Incident Action Plan (IAP) based on the scenario given to them.

Further, the participants were tasked to perform an Operational Period Briefing to demonstrate their knowledge on ICS staff and functions.

RD Ancheta in his closing message said, “The training gave us an opportunity to capacitate ourselves to be of better help to others especially on disaster response.”