Region 2 helps rescue operations in Mt. Province

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO, TMT
NOVEMBER 12, 2018

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan: Despite being directly hit by Typhoon “Rosita,” Cagayan Valley (Region 2) authorities sent rescue teams to conduct search and retrieval operations in Natonin town in Mountain Province.

The Cagayan Valley Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (Cvrdrrmc), though, confirmed zero casualties during Rosita and the Department of Agriculture (DA) said damage to crops reached P2.3 billion.

Natonin Mayor Mateo Chiyawa said 18 bodies, including that of one rescuer, were recovered while 11 remained missing on Friday when operations ceased at the landslide area.

The major damage was the landslide in Barangay Nacarang Banuel in Natonin where a four-story building of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was buried in mud.

The Cvrdrrmc said heavy rains during the onslaught of the typhoon and lack of equipment posed challenges to the rescue operations and prompted more institutions to respond immediately.

Responding to the urgent call from Mountain Province, Region 2 disaster management officials immediately sent rescue teams who were mobilized prior to Rosita’s landfall.

Rescue teams from the DPWH and other institutions conducted search and retrieval operations.

Mining firm OceanaGold based in Nueva Vizcaya also responded through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Mines and Geosciences Bureau (DENR-MGB) in Region 2.

On Sunday, Mario Ancheta, MGB Region 2 director, said the OceanaGold rescue team was sent immediately to Natonin in coordination with the Of fice of Civil Defense (OCD) Region 2 and Cvrdrrmc.

They joined the retrieval team from the Army’s 54th and 77th Infantry Battalions, Army reservists, police and fire bureau personnel from Mountain Province, Kalinga and other parts of the Cordillera Administrative Region; Philippine Air Force; DPWH in Ifugao and Nueva Vizcaya; Disaster Risk Reduction Management Offices from Region 2, and private volunteers.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development confirmed that 7,849 houses were damaged by Rosita in Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Eastern Visayas and Cordillera Administrative Region.

MGB issues threat advisories on landslide and flood prone areas

• LIST OF BARANGAYS IN QUIRINO PROVINCE WITH HIGH – VERY HIGH FLOOD SUSCEPTIBILITY RATING
  
  
• LIST OF BARANGAYS IN NUEVA VIZCAYA PROVINCE WITH HIGH – VERY HIGH FLOOD SUSCEPTIBILITY RATING
  
  
• LIST OF BARANGAYS IN NUEVA VIZCAYA PROVINCE WITH HIGH – VERY HIGH LANDSLIDE SUSCEPTIBILITY RATING
  
  
• LIST OF BARANGAYS IN BATANES PROVINCE WITH HIGH – VERY HIGH FLOOD SUSCEPTIBILITY RATING
  
  
• LIST OF BARANGAYS IN ISABELA PROVINCE WITH HIGH – VERY HIGH FLOOD SUSCEPTIBILITY RATINGHIGH – VERY HIGH FLOOD SUSCEPTIBILITY RATING
  
  
• LIST OF BARANGAYS IN CAGAYAN PROVINCE WITH HIGH – VERY HIGH FLOOD SUSCEPTIBILITY RATING
  
  
• LIST OF BARANGAYS IN ISABELA PROVINCE WITH HIGH – VERY HIGH LANDSLIDE SUSCEPTIBILITY RATING RATING
  
  
• LIST OF BARANGAYS IN BATANES PROVINCE WITH HIGH – VERY HIGH LANDSLIDE SUSCEPTIBILITY RATING
  
  
• LIST OF BARANGAYS IN QUIRINO PROVINCE WITH HIGH – VERY HIGH LANDSLIDE SUSCEPTIBILITY RATINGHIGH – VERY HIGH LANDSLIDE SUSCEPTIBILITY RATING
  
  
• LIST OF BARANGAYS IN CAGAYAN PROVINCE WITH HIGH – VERY HIGH LANDSLIDE SUSCEPTIBILITY RATINGHIGH – VERY HIGH LANDSLIDE SUSCEPTIBILITY RATING

MGB R02 conducts training on engineering geology

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. II conducted a training-workshop on Engineering Geology on 25-27 September 2018 at MGB Multi-Purpose Hall, Carig Sur, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan. The event was anchored on the continual improvement of the MGB ROII geologists in compliance to its Integrated Management System (IMS) and its mandate on environmental management, particularly on hazard assessment and mitigation.

Bearing the theme: “Engineering Geology-Theory and Practice,” intends to enhance the competence of the geologists in natural hazard assessment, slope stability, engineering geophysics, drilling, and geo technology.

During the first day of the training-workshop, a lecture on theory and principles behind engineering geology, including the basic principles in mapping, logging, and stereographic projection were discussed by Victor Rey Angeles, a licensed geologist who specializes in engineering and environmental geology.

The fieldwork was conducted on the second day at Penablanca, Cagayan where the local geology posed engineering design and construction challenges.

On the third day, an interactive session was conducted that included preparation and presentation of field data and engineering geologic map.

The training-workshop was attended by geologists of MGB R02 led by its Chief Geologist Felicitas V. Piligan.

Mines Bureau spearheads capacity building for Info Officers, Economists

Tuguegarao City, Cagayan- The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Central Office through its Mineral Economics, Information, and Publications Division (MEIPD) spearheaded a capacity building for MGB personnel responsible for statistical data analysis, website maintenance, and information dissemination on 1-5 October 2018 at Microtel Techno Hub Hotel, Quezon City.

The first day of the capacity building focused the discussion on the Guidelines for Compliance Monitoring and Rating/Scorecard of Mining Permits/Contracts lectured by Engr. Rodolfo Velasco Jr., Chief Science Research Specialist. A discussion on the Guidelines for additional Environmental Measures for Operating Surface Metallic Mines was also given by Atty. Josephine Sescon, Officer-in Charge of the MGB Legal Services Division.

Meanwhile, Engr. Larry Heradez, OIC of Mining Tenements Management Division of MGB Central lectured the Guidelines in the Conduct, Apprehension, Seizure, Confiscation, and Disposition of Illegally-Sourced Minerals/Minerals Products and By-Products, Tools, Conveyances, and Equipment Used.

On the second day, Media Specialist Miko Morales gave a lecture on theories on behavioural change and guidelines for developing Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials. 

After the lecture, a critique of existing IEC materials of MGB regional offices was conducted.

The next day gave emphasis on crisis management and basics of media relations. The recent landslide in Itogon, Benguet and Naga, Cebu City were used as case studies for the crisis management particularly on dealing with the media.

Basics of newswriting, feature writing, and speech writing were also discussed during the third day of the capacity building. A writeshop on press release writing, feature article writing, and speech writing were conducted after the series of lectures.

Importance of website and website writing was also discussed during the last day of the training.

The capacity building was participated in by Information Officers and Economists of MGB Central Office and its regional offices.