GOVPH

Mines Bureau joins 117^th Independence Day celeb

By: Lyndee Rose S. Basilio

Tuguegarao City, Cagayan- With the Theme: “ Kalayaan 2015: Tagumpay sa Pagbabagong Nasimulan, Abot- Kamay na ng Bayan,” the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region 02 together with hundreds of government employees, students and other stakeholders have joined in the celebration of the 117^th Philippine Independence day spearheaded by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) at Rizal’s Park, Bagumbayan here.

Engr. Mario A. Ancheta, Regional Director, said it is impossible not to remember Rizal and our other heroes who have awakened Filipino consciousness that eventually lead to the declaration of our independence.

The Regional Director said we are all aware that we spilled our blood in the name of our freedom. “Let us not waste our spilled blood, let us continue to act with strength and courage, to act with one voice and one mind, to act as one nation to protect our Perlas ng Silanganan,” Ancheta said. 

“This is the right time to act. Together with all these, we can do it towards a lasting progress we Filipinos rightfully deserve,” Ancheta added.

On the other hand, Atty. Asis Perez, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) undersecretary who served as the guest of honor said that our country is still struggling to prevent foreign poachers in our territorial waters.

The undersecretary urged the public for unity to fight for our freedom from poverty and ignorance. 

Traditional parade of flags along the city proper, zumba dance, choral speech, 21-gun salute lead by the Philippine Army, flag raising, and wreath laying at the foot of Dr. Jose Rizal’s monument were among the activities conducted during the celebration. 

MGB bolsters hiring, promotion process

By: Lyndee Rose S. Basilio 

Tuguegarao City, Cagayan- The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Central Office together with MGB R02 spearheaded pre-qualifying examinations for its applicants and employees to bolster the hiring and promotion process of the Agency on March 6-7, 2015 at MGB Conference Room. 

This aims to transform the hiring process of the agency and The selection of employees based on merit and fitness to the job applied for.

The tests consisted of General Aptitude Test (GAT), Job Knowledge Test (JKT), Ethics-Oriented Personality Test (EOPT), and Managerial Competence Test (MCT).

The new entrants to the government service took GAT, JKT, and EOPT while those permanent employees who qualified for promotion only took the JKT and EOPT.  For supervisory positions, qualified employees took EOPT and Managerial Competence Test (MCT). Instead of JKT, Skills test has been customized for positions with salary grade 1-10.

After the examination, the applicants will be deliberated by the Personnel Selection Board. The Regional Director (RD), Finance and Administrative Division (FAD) Chief, Representative/ Alternate, Gender and Development (GAD) Focal-Point System,  and Representative/Alternate, Employees Union comprises the Board.

Applicants who pass the deliberation will move on to the next screening, then of panel interview. After the conduct of interview, submission of a comprehensive evaluation report of candidates screened for consideration of the appointing authority will follow.

The appointing authority shall assess the merits from among the top five ranking applicants qualified for appointment to the position.

Fifty examinees including the new entrants’ applicants and MGB employees took the examination. 

MGB R02 employees arrange surprise birthday party for RD Ancheta

By: Lyndee Rose S. Basilio

The employees of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region 02 (MGB R02) organized a surprise birthday party in honor of the OIC Regional Director Mario A. Ancheta in celebration of his 49^th birthday last May 18, 2015 at MGB Conference hall.

The revelry for RD Ancheta included birthday messages from the representatives of each division, video presentation and mini get together of MGB R02 employees.

Demetrio Corsino, Community Affairs Officer (CAO) thanked RD Ancheta for the support he gave him during the setbacks in his life.

Corsino said he almost gave up, but RD Ancheta told him to stay in MGB.

Further, MGB R02 Budget Officer Remigia Manuel likewise thanked the Regional Director for his good leadership. Manuel added that RD Ancheta should continue his public servant’s leadership.

Engr. Geoffrey Prado also gave a short message to RD Ancheta.

“Buddy, we surpassed the challenges that came along our way. We are able to stop the controversial black sand mining in Cagayan. We are able to do it through your leadership and guidance. Buddy, continue helping those people who are in need,” Prado said.

On the other hand, RD Ancheta gave a response by thanking the MGB R02 employees.

“Thank you for the surprise party, but most of all thank you for always being there through thick or thin; thank you for remembering me,” the birthday celebrant said.

“It’s been seven years since I became the Regional Director, and yet you are still there supporting me despite the hindrances during my first year of leadership,” he added.

“You know how hard we tried to develop our office, you know what our accomplishments are, let our accomplishments speak for what we have done these past few years, thank you for believing in me, thank you for always being there,” he further said.

RD Ancheta attends 1st expanded staff meeting of MGB Central;

Presents agenda to MGB R02 staff

By: Lyndee Rose Basilio

Engr. Mario A. Ancheta, OIC Regional Director of Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region 02 (MGB R02) attended the first expanded staff meeting at the MGB Central Office together with the different MGB Regional Directors held last February 17, 2015.

Engr. Ancheta presented to the MGB R02 staff during the conduct of Monday’s convocation on February 23, 2015 at MGB Conference hall the various agenda they tackled in the Expanded Staff Meeting. On his discussion, he emphasized the functional statement of the office particularly all the divisional functions.

He said that the Office of the Regional Director (ORD) shall be performing tasks such as directing and implementing laws, rules and regulations of the Bureau.

Further, He said based on the functional statement that the Information, Education and Communication (EIC) unit is under the ORD where he will be the head of the IEC team.

He re- orientated the body of the communication protocol of the Office, according to him if it is addressed to MGB Director, in general, signed by the Regional Director; if in response to DENR, addressed to DENR, thru the MGB Director and if he is on leave/official business, OIC will sign “by authority of the Regional Director.”

He also mentioned that the Geosciences Division (GSD) shall undertake its function of land and marine geoscientific survey where it will have subsections such as: General and Economic Geology Section that will conduct geological mapping, mineral exploration and other related geosciences activities.

Also, under GSD is Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology Section that shall conduct hydrogeological exploration and vulnerability assessment geo-environmental studies (including assessment of possible solid waste disposal sites and studies on climate change and other environmental impacts). Geohazard and Engineering Geology Section and Geological Laboratory Services Section will also be included as subsections of GSD were the Laboratory section will provide services on geological laboratory analysis of minerals and rocks.

RD Ancheta also informed the body that the Mine and Environment and Safety Division (MESD) shall be renamed into Mine Safety, Environment and Social Development Division (MSESDD) where a Social Development Section shall be included.

The MSESDD shall be responsible for the conduct of the evaluation and monitoring of implementation of programs and investigation of incidents/complaints on mine safety and health, environmental management and social development.

RD Ancheta also gave a discussion of the functions of Mine Management Division (MMD) were it shall be responsible in undertaking initial evaluation of mining applications and mining-related applications, monitoring of the disposition and utilization of mineral lands and resources, and survey of mineral lands where Monitoring and Technical Services Section, Mineral Lands Survey Section and Mining Tenement Evaluation Section are the three sections of MMD which will be responsible in monitoring of the disposition and utilization of mineral lands and resources, evaluation of application of survey order and survey returns and plans in areas outside mineral reservations and initial evaluation of mining and mining- related applications respectively.

The day’s convocation was filled with insights and it served as an avenue for re-orientation of old and new policies of MGB.