MGB celebrates environment month
 By: Lyndee Rose Basilio

Remaining committed to this year’s theme for World Environment Celebration, “Connecting people to nature, “ and in celebration of the Philippine Environment Month this June 2017 that can be traced to the legislation of the Presidential Decree No. 237 by then Pres. Corazon C. Aquino, declaring the month of June as environment month, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. II is committed for the active participation of its employees for the various activities lined-up for the month-long celebration.

1. Announcement of Philippine Environment Month in Flag Raising Ceremony (June 5, 2017)

RD Mario A. Ancheta informed his staff regarding the Philippine Environment Month Celebration for the whole month of June 2017 during the Monday convocation. He listed the activities of MGB Regional Office No. II hand in hand with DENR, EMB, and the mining companies in the region through the Regional Information, Education, and Communication (RIEC) Team.

2. MGB convenes Regional IEC Team (June 5, 2017)

To inform the mining companies regarding the series of activities for the month of June, MGB Regional Office No. II through RD Ancheta convened the representatives of OceanaGold Phils. Inc., FCF Mineral Corp., and Geogen Corporation to attend the meeting on June 5, 2017 to discuss relevant matters concerning the environment month celebration. The meeting discussed the delegation of tasks for the environment forum, photo exhibit, and IEC materials to be distributed for the said event.

3. Tipon-tipan sa PIA (June 6, 2017)
   

RD Ancheta together with the Regional Directors of DENR Region II and EMB Region II, Atty. Gil A. Aromin and Engr. Cesar S. Siador, respectively attended a media forum dubbed as “tipon-tipan sa PIA” to discuss with the members of the media the lined-up programs and activities regarding the celebration of environment month.

Atty. Aromin informed the press that DENR will conduct environmental symposiums in schools, tree planting activities, and levelling-off with local government units regarding protection of the environment with emphasis on forest protection

On the other hand, RD Siador also informed the media that EMB will hold a multi-sectoral meeting with the governing board of PIESTTA Air Shed which composed of municipalities of: Penablanca, Iguig, Enrile, Solana, Tuguegarao City, Tuao, and Amulung.

Further, RD Ancheta highlighted to the press the conduct of environment forum on June 29, 2017 at Santiago City, Isabela.

The media forum likewise tackled the current situation of mining operations in the region particularly the three large scale mining operations in the Cagayan Valley Region.

4. Clean-up drive (June 9 and 16, 2017)

To upgrade the cleanliness and orderliness of MGB Regional Office No. II, it conducted a general cleaning in the office premises every Friday of June 2017. The clean-up drive was participated in by all the employees of the bureau.

5. Tree planting (June 23, 2017)

On the last Friday of June 2017, MGB R02 employees planted seedlings at MGB R02 compound as part of the celebration of environment month.

After the tree planting, general cleaning in the MGB premises was likewise conducted.

6. Establishment of Environment Booths
   

Hand in hand with the three large-scale mining companies in the region through the Regional IEC Team, environment booths were situated at the MGB compound to inform the bureau’s clientele of the initiatives of the mining companies regarding responsible mining.

7. Distribution of information materials

 ^{As part of the communication plan of the bureau, it distributed comics and pamphlets to the participants of the environment forum and other stakeholders for the wider dissemination of the benefits of mining in the development of the society.}

8. Environment Forum with the theme: “Understanding Policies that govern mining operations and best practices in mining that promote responsible mining”
   

Hand in hand with DENR, EMB, and mining companies in the region, MGB Region II spearheaded the 1^st environment forum on June 29, 2017 at Zen Hotel, Santiago City, Isabela where over 200 participants attended the event.

MGB conducts capability building for SSM at Cordon, Isabela
 By: Lyndee Rose Basilio

In the effort of the bureau to capacitate the small scale miners, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau R02 conducted a capability building for small-scale miners on Oct. 26, 2017 at Camarao and Cordon, Isabela.

The capability building was part of the communication plan of the bureau with the aim to give awareness on the laws, rules, and policies on small scale mining.

Engr, Geoffrey V. Prado, supervising science research specialist of MGB conducted the lecture to the small scale miners of cordon with emphasis on R.A 7076 otherwise known as an act creating a people’s small-scale mining program.

Engr. Prado discussed the declaration of minahang bayan, registration of mining bayan, extent of contract area, easement rights, and the future of small-scale mining.

MGB has already conducted a capability building for SSM of Cordon last 2014.

Mines Bureau spearheads 1^st environment confab
 By: Lyndee Rose Basilio

In the joint effort of DENR, EMB, and mining companies in the region, MGB Region II spearheaded an environment forum on June 29, 2017 at Zen Hotel, Santiago City, Isabela where over 200 participants attended the event.

DENR discussed forest protection; EMB on environmental laws, rules, and regulations; MGB on the other hand lectured on environment protection and responsible mining with emphasis on mining and sustainability in the Philippines; and the mining companies gave presentation on the good practices of mining companies in the region particularly on their community development programs and environment protection initiatives.

Sharing of testimony by the stakeholders being benefited by the mining companies was likewise conducted during the forum.

An open forum was also held to clarify relevant issues concerning the mining industry.

Representatives from DENR, EMB, members of the media, academe, and other stakeholders attended the event.

After the forum, a press conference was held to give more time to the members of the press for their questions.

‘Bantay Quarry Checkers,’ et al. now deputized as mining officers
 By: Lyndee Rose Basilio

The Mines and Geosiences Bureau (MGB) Region II conducted orientation and deputation of 81 “Bantay quarry checkers” of the Provincial Government of Cagayan, four employees of the Provincial Treasury, and seven from Cagayan Provincial Information Office last November 3, 2017 at Capitol Hills, Penablanca, Cagayan.

The newly deputized mining officers can now apprehend illegal mining activities and to enforce laws, rules, and regulations on environment and natural resources.

The said orientation- deputation is in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 7942, otherwise known as the “Philippine Mining Act of 1995.”

Section 7f of DAO 2010- 21 states that, “To deputize, when when necessary, any member or unit of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Barangay, duly registered and Department-accredited Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) or any qualified Person to police all mining activities.”

RD Ancheta led the oath taking ceremony of the quarry checkers. He said, “your work as mining officers is not an easy job, you are now our partners in our campaign to minimize and to finally eradicate illegal mining activities in the province of Cagayan.”

“You are our enforcement arm to assist us in our implementation of mining and environmental laws in the province,” the regional director said.

Maribeth G. Tumaliuan, mining claims examiner III of MGB gave lecture on the salient features of Mining Act of 1995, People’s Small- Scale Mining Act of 1991, and Executive Order No. 79/ DAO 2012- 07.

The Orientation- Deputation was in coordination with the Provincial Government of Cagayan. Gov. Manuel N. Mamba likewise attended the event.