Mines Bureau ROII kicks off for 2017, conducts Regn’l programming workshop.

By: Lyndee Rose S. Basilio

The Finance and Administrative group finalizes their targets as well as the financial status of the Bureau for the year 2017 headed by OIC FAD Chief, Erlinda F. Catabay.

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. II (MGB ROII) recently conducted a regional programming workshop for the implementation of the 2017 Work and Financial Plan of the Office held at MGB Conference Hall last January 9-10, 2017.

The programming workshop aimed to prepare the technical staff as well as the support staff of the bureau on the implementation of their targets for 2017 before the bureau starts its activities for the year.

The workshop focused on the presentation of the programs and targets of the three technical divisions where RD Ancheta together with the Finance and Administrative (FAD) gave comments on how to implement their Programs/Activities/ Projects (P/A/Ps).

“I want to thank you for all our efforts last year, may we remain committed to our work for the better implementation of our targets this 2017,” Engr. Mario A. Ancheta, OIC Regional Director said.

For the year, the Communication Plan for Minerals Development of the Bureau targeted 32 awareness and advocacy activities on Mineral Resources and Geosciences (MRGS) with the Sangguinian and other groups (academe, religious, and the like), 4 trainings and/or orientations for LGUs/Stakeholders/Small Scale Miners on MRGS rules and regulations, and 420 IEC materials (pamphlets, flyers, website, etc.) to be generated/published, as part of the intensive IEC campaign in the office.

For the Geosciences Division, year 2017 would be a continuation of their banner programs/ activities on Geohazard Survey and Assessment like the Vulnerability and Risk Assessment, updating of 1:10000 maps, detailed sub-surface assessment and coastal geohazard with targets of 12, 1, 2, and 14 municipalities, respectively.  

Further, the intensive IEC of the Geosciences Division on Geohazard Assessment and Mapping Program posted a target of 650 barangays with 92 maps, 700 posters, 100 VCDs, 500 pamphlets during their IEC campaign. Activities of the GSD on Geologic Quadrangle Mapping, Groundwater Assessments and other technical Assistance has targets of 5 municipalities, 2 provinces, and 12 requests, respectively.

For the Mineral Lands Administration, the universe on the mining contracts to be monitored this year has decreased from last year’s target of 28 down to 12 mining companies only due to the expiration or cancellation of other existing mining contracts. These 12 tenement areas (Exploration/ Development and Construction/ Operating) will be monitored and/or inspected relative to their approved Work programs/ Terms and conditions/ Requirements and Safety, Health, Environment, and Social Programs.

For the permit issuances, 74 mining permits/contracts (including other mining-related permits) were targeted to be issued and/or agreements endorsed for approval; And for the approval of SHES programs, the Mines Safety, Environment, and Social Development Division (MSESDD) has targeted Annual EPEP, Annual SDMP and 13 ASHP.

On the enforcement, the Mine Management Division (MMD) has targeted 6 violations/complaints/cases/conflicts filed at MGB and Panel of Arbitrators will be investigated/ resolved.

RD Ancheta said, “Targets were expected to finish before the end of December 2017.”

 “As a closing statement, we shall continue to soar higher for the Bureau but, most of all for the people,” RD Ancheta added.