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FCF conducts training for community relations
Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)- Central office conducted a five-day basic handloom weaving training to the six (6) members of the Abel RIPO, an offshoot of the Runruno Indigenous Peoples’ Organization along with the 11 prospective new weavers, mostly middle-aged women and some male youth in Brgy. Runruno, Quezon, Nueva Vizcaya on October 24-28, 2022.
The training aims to upgrade their technology knowledge and skills from backstrap to handloom weaving, and innovate and develop new woven products incorporating modern designs to meet market demands.
During the closing program, DOST Provincial Director Jonathan R. Nuestro said that as a developing business, they should know their customers’ requirements and preference such as: quality of the products, affordability of the product and design. Moreover, he said that the quality will determine the price of the product.
Meanwhile, Ms. Ferlita B. Erasquin, one of the trainee expressed her gratitude for the opportunity given to them to attend the skills training.
The training was spearheaded by Ms. Josefa L. Garlitos, senior Science Research Specialist, Ms. Melody Y. Laxamana, Science Research Analyst, and Mr. Irwin A. Gonzales, Science Research Specialist ng PTRI. Also included in the training are Ms. Adrianne Joy Perez, Project Assistant (PA) II of Regional Yarn Production and Innovation Center and Ms. Lhea Lee Galap, PA I of Provincial Science and Technology Office-Nueva Vizcaya.
The activity is in collaboration with FCF Minerals Corporation thru the Enterprise Development section of the ComRel Department, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), DOST-PTRI, PROCED through the initiative of Barangay Local Government of Runruno.
Mining firm joins bamboo day celeb
In celebration of the Philippine Bamboo Month and World Bamboo Day, the Didipio Mine employees from OceanaGold (Philippines), Inc., Didipio Community Development Corporation (DiCorp) and SMSSI, teachers and student officers of Eastern Nueva Vizcaya National High School (ENVNHS) collaborated and planted around 200 bamboo seedlings in the vicinity of ENVNHS located in the Didipio Community.
Didipio Mine Environment Manager, Engr. Jason Magdaong reiterated the importance of bamboo planting in the country focusing on the benefits to the environment such as soil stabilization/erosion control and improvement of air quality but also its economic potential that may offer livelihood opportunities.
As continuous support to this Government project, the Didipio Mine will continue to produce and donate bamboo propagules and tree seedlings, participate in nationwide bamboo planting, implement progressive rehabilitation within the site and establish more reforestation areas within the Provinces of Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino.
MGB conducts dismantling activity
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) led the dismantling of various illegal mining equipment during a series of operations conducted against small-scale mining activities in Quezon town, Nueva Vizcaya province.
The joint operations which were carried out by MGB-Region 2, DENR Region 2, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office-Nueva Vizcaya, Community Environment and Natural Resources Office-Aritao, National Bureau of Investigation-Region 2, Philippine National Police, and Armed Forces of the Philippines, in coordination with FCF Minerals Corporation, cracked down on ball mills, shafting, diesel engines, pulleys, and other equipment used in illegal small-scale mining activities at Barangay Runruno.
MGB-Region 2 Director Mario A. Ancheta said the absence of documents, permits, or authority in the conduct of mining operations and the transport of minerals/mineral products and by-products will be considered as prima facie evidence of illegal mining.
"This shall cause the seizure/confiscation of the minerals/mineral products and by-products and the tools, conveyances, and equipment used in the commission of the offense in favor of the government," Ancheta pointed out.
Prior to the operation, MGB-Region 2 directed an investigation of the ongoing small-scale mining operations within the Financial or Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) contract area of mining firm FCF Minerals Corporation.
MGB said that the said firm has not yet utilized or developed the said area.
Given the location, Ancheta pointed out that the mining area cannot be declared as a "Minahang Bayan" site.
He added that despite constant dialogues and warnings, the small-scale miners, who were identified to be illegal settlers, continued to defy the MGB's order to vacate and leave the area.
The MGB-Region 2 served cease-and-desist orders against the illegal mining activities last July 7 to 9.
"I have previously proposed to these illegal miners to look for other areas that can be applied for as Minahang Bayan since this area is prohibited. However, they continue to extract the area," Ancheta said.
Charges will be filed against the miners for violation of Republic Act (RA) 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 and RA 7076 or the People’s Small-Scale Mining Act of 1991.
The implementing rules and regulations of RA 7076 state that: "No small-scale mining shall be undertaken outside a Minahang Bayan and that no entity shall engage in small-scale mining without a small-scale mining contract."
MGB-Region 2 has been monitoring the activities in the area since a landslide occurred on Nov. 13, 2020. It has previously recommended to the local government of Quezon, Nueva Vizcaya to relocate the illegal settlers.
MGB 2 spearheads orientation to employees
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau through the Human Resource Management Unit conducted an orientation on how to fill out Personal Data Sheets (PDS ) and State of Assets, Liabilities, and Net worth ( SALN) at MGB ROII Multi-Purpose Hall.
MGB 2 conducts coastal geohazard in coastal towns of Cagayan
Tuguegarao City, Cagayan- The Mines and Geosciences Regional Office No. II conducted coastal geohazard mapping and assessment to eight municipalities located at the northern seaboard of the region .
The Coastal Geohazard Mapping and Assessment is done to study the conditions of our coastal environments in terms of geohazards (mainly coastal flooding), the shifting of the shoreline (accretion or erosion) and the acquisition of selected beach profiles primarily taken in residential and critical areas. All the coastal municipalities of Region II area already assessed for this project in 2017. A new methodology was employed in the conduct of the project starting this year.
The main objective of the coastal assessment is to determine the vulnerability of coastal areas with respect to hazards such as erosion, accretion, storm surge, and sea level rise by evaluating the biological and geological characteristics of the study areas.
