MGB celebrates women’s month
 By: Lyndee Rose Basilio

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. II organized activities in celebration of the National Women’s Month this March.

Highlighted in the celebration of women’s month was the cook festival that was open to all female employees of the Bureau.

The participants were divided into four teams with eight members each.  The contested dish was fish sinigang while another dish meal of the team’s choice was also presented to the judges as side dish.

The dishes were judged by: taste- 70 percent; visual appeal- 15 percent; and observance of kitchen sanitation- 15 percent.

Bearing this year’s theme: “ We Make Change, Work for Women,” Gender and Development (GAD) Focal Person, Ms. Felicitas V. Piligan said in her message to the employees that,” the cook fest is a good venue for us to empower our women considering their important roles in the kitchen; that women of today can both work and perform household chores.”

 She also emphasized the importance of recognizing the contribution of women in the society through the conduct of activities that highlight the important roles of women in the society.

MGB also spearheaded a Zumba dance dubbed as hataw exercise held last March 20, 2017.

The conduct of National Women’s Month is embodied in Proclamation 222, series of 1998 that provides for the observance of the month of March as women’s role in history month. #LRSB

GRVA conducted in some municipalities of Batanes province
 By: Lyndee Rose Basilio

To determine the groundwater availability and to describe the aquifer/s in the area, geologists including some personnel of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. II (MGB R0II) conducted a Groundwater Resource and Vulnerability Assessment in the municipalities of Basco, Mahatao,Ivana, Uyugan, and Sabtang, Batanes.

A total of 45 wells were surveyed within Batan and Sabtang Islands. Most of the surveyed wells are submersible pumps especially in Batan Island while few are deep wells in artesian pumps.

Before the earthquake that jolted Batanes province in early 2000, the municipality of Basco depended on the spring of Mt. Iraya as a main source of water for its populace, however, after the earthquake, the pipelines connecting the spring source and the water distribution lines in the downtown area of Batanes were destroyed.

The Local Government of Batanes constructed production wells all over the municipality of Basco to transport water and steam for utilization.

On the other hand, majority of the assessed wells in the municipality of Sabtang are shallow open dug wells converted to jetmatic hand-pumped wells. The majority of the wells are situated in the residential areas few are found in public sites. Based on data gathered, well depths range from 4m to 60m below the ground surface.

Gypsophila Craig L. Selvano, contractual geologist of MGB said that, “ the areas having shallow groundwater level are located near the coast while the groundwater located in the foothills and at the central part of Batan Island were generally deep.”

Locations of springs were also noted where most number of springs which were tapped for drinking are situated in the municipality of Uyugan.

Based on results of in situ testing, the water quality in the area generally passed the Department of Health (DOH) standard for safe drinking in terms of pH level, total dissolved solids and salinity. Multi-parameter handheld tester was used to test the quality of water.

Moreover, some of the water wells are not safe for drinking and only limited for domestic use only particularly in barangays Nakanmuan and Sinakan, Sabtang province.

Selvano, Domingo J. De Asis, cartographer II, and Jose U. Delos Santos Jr., senior environmental management specialist (SEMS) conducted said assessment.

Well inventory and water quality test for the municipalities of Basco, Mahattao, Ivana, Uyugan, and Sabtang were completed during the fieldwork. Georesistivity survey in the province of Batanes will also be conducted by the Bureau. – LRSB with reports from Geosciences Division

Geosciences Division lectures geohazard to HS students
 By: Lyndee Rose Basilio

The Geosciences Division of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau R02 spearheaded by the geologists of the bureau conducted a lecture on geohazard to the senior high school students of the Tuguegarao Science High School last November 28, 2017.

The lecture talked mainly talked about earth’s natural hazards and their effect to the environment as well as necessary preparations for said hazards.

Landslide, flash floods, earthquakes and avalanche were among the discussions during the lecture.

“Geohazards or geophysical hazards are natural phenomenon,” said Anna Marie Omandac, contractual geologist of MGB said during the lecture.

“It might have a negative effect on us and on the environment, hence, we need to know at least the basics for us to be prepared when this natural occurring phenomenon happen to us,” she added.

After the lecture, an open forum was conducted. The lecture was part of the IEC of the bureau.

MGB R02 geologists undertake geologic mapping in Bicol region
 By: Lyndee Rose Basilio

Six geologists from Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. II undertook a geologic mapping that covers five quadrangles in the Bicol Region held last April 2-30,2017.

The geologic mapping project aims to identify various faults, types and structures of rocks, and folds to furnish a geologic map which will be used by the public as base map in urban planning and as vital input in different geologic investigations and studies.

The five quadrangles covered were Castilla Quadrangle, Gubat Quadrangle, Bayabas Quadrangle, Daet Quadrangle, and Mandao Quadrangle.

The Castilla Quadrangle is one of the two target quadrangles with no geologic data available.

The team of geologists found out that the rocks are poorly exposed along road cuts, hence, a visit to many creeks/rivers was also undertaken by the team.

Only Bicol Volcanic Arc Complex (BVAC) and Quaternary Alluvium were found to occur in the area. It was also determined by the geologists that the two component members of BVAC were present: Pocdol Volcanic Complex (PVC) and Bulusan Volcanic Complex (BVC).

The PVC occurs on the northern half of the study area while the BVC occurs on the southern half of the study area.

Based on the report of the geologists, no large-scale structures were noted in the field. Only microstructures like drag fold, lense, joint, gouge, and rock contact were observed.

The team of geologists used compasses, GPS units, handlens, scribbers, sample picks, camera, and field base maps during the conduct of the survey.

Rock samples were taken for correlation and systematic archiving. On the other hand, problematic samples were kept for further petrologic and/or paleontologic analysis. Lynds Basilio/with reports from Geosciences Division