MGB Central Office convenes Information Officers, Economists, IT Specialists
 By: Lyndee Rose Basilio

To further capacitate their working knowledge, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Central Office convened recently the MGB regional information officers, economists, and IT specialists in a training and capability building for MGB Personnel responsible for Statistical Data and Analysis, Website Maintenance, and Information Dissemination at Eurotel, Cubao, Quezon City.

The capacity building provided lectures on various topics such as cost-benefit analysis (CBA), Social Development and Management Program (SDMP), Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) on geohazards, small -scale mining, MGB reporting system, and requirements on the applications of mining permits.

It was also tackled during the event was the finalization of Mineral Profiles and the standardization of office’ website. The training likewise reoriented the participants on the Statistical Forms and other reportorial requirements in mining statistics.

MGB Director Atty. Wilfredo G. Moncano graced the event. He emphasized the importance of having scientific data for the benefit of the mining industry.

Andrews De Austria, community affairs officer; Diane Imie Estrada, planning officer; and Cecilio Calagui, contractual system network administrator were the representatives of MGB Region II in the said training. #LRSB

‘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.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu visits R02, calls to strengthen envi law implementation

By: Lyndee Rose Basilio

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy A. Cimatu in his first visit in region II on September 9, 2017 called on its officials on the need to strengthen the enforcement of environmental laws of the agency.

“Ang pinakakulang ng DENR ay enforcement sa ating trabaho. Kulang tayo ng ngipin, dagdagan natin ng ngipin,” said Secretary Cimatu.

“Ang pinakakulang ng DENR ay enforcement sa ating trabaho. Kulang tayo ng ngipin, dagdagan natin ng ngipin,” said Secretary Cimatu.

Cimatu announced during his visit in the regional office the Department’s directions under his watch.

 He reminded the regional office to properly enforce the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999, Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004, and  Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000. “ Kailangan maipatupad ang malinis na hangin na nilalanghap ng tao.”

He likewise focused on the continuous protection of the Cagayan River against pollutants. “The Cagayan River, the longest river in the country is the source of irrigation of the valley.”

The Environment Secretary was amazed by the cleanliness of the Cagayan river upon seeing it from his plane along his way to Tuguegarao.

The Environment Secretary also emphasized that the Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices (CENROs) are in the frontline in the implementation of the agency’s programs.

“ Kayo ang panlaban kaya kailangan natin palakasin ang mga CENRO,” said Secretary Cimatu.

The secretary said that there will be additional personnel in the CENRO and the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Offices (PENRO) particularly the hiring of lawyers to be deployed in every CENRO.

Cimatu said that legal problems will be settled immediately if there are lawyers in each CENROs in the region.  The lawyers will help on law enforcement and resolution of land cases, They will also be subjected to environmental law enforcement training.

Cimatu said that the additional manpower will strengthen the CENROs and PENROs.

On Land titling, the secretary urged his officials that the issuance of documents should be fast tracked to avoid suspicion.

“ Kailangan bilisan natin ang pagproseso ng mga dokumento wag patagalin at walang manghihingi ng bayad,” the environment secretary warned.

Cimatu also gave reminders on the implementation of Enhanced National Greening Program (E-NGP), “ Yung National Greening Program ipatupad natin nang walang kalokohan,” he said.

The protection of Sierra Madre was also mentioned by the secretary. He emphasized to his officials that no illegal logging must occur in the mountain ranges of the Sierra Madre,

On Mining, secretary Cimatu reminded the officials of Mines and Geosciences Bureau to properly monitor mining activities particularly to stop those who engage in black sand mining. He likewise told the bureau that if it needs help in monitoring, the Philippine Coast Guard will be deployed in the area.

On the other hand, DENR Regional Office No. II also issued a manifesto of support for the confirmation of secretary Cimatu by the Commission of Appointments (CA).

DENR Regional Director Atty. Gil Aromin said that the manifesto is a sign of full support of the DENR employees of his leadership in the agency.

Cimatu expressed his appreciation that he is fortunate to receive such amount of support in barely four months of being the DENR secretary.

Meanwhile, Secretary Cimatu also handed the Bayani ng Kalikasan Award to the parents of Mark Ian Dela Cruz for his “sacrifice for the DENR.” The award is given for the “Fallen Heroes of the Environment” who dedicated their lives for the service and protection of the environment.

Also awarded during the welcome program at the DENR Regional Office was a Commendation of Outstanding Commitment to Forester Wilbert Sanchez, Forest Protection Officer Mark Anthony Capuchino, Extension Officers Noel Massalang and Joel Ortiz.

Dela Cruz together with his four companions were hit by lightning on May 12, 2016 while conducting geo-tagging at Rizal Cagayan.

After the program, Cimatu visited EMB and MGB Regional Offices. He also visited and met with the officials of PENR and CENR offices in Isabela, Quirino, and Nueva Vizcaya.

He was accompanied by Undersecretaries Atty. Ernesto Adobo and Atty. Juan Miguel Cuna, and officials of EMB and MGB.

MGB Director Atty. Wilfredo Moncano and Assistant Director Atty. Danilo Uykieng likewise accompanied the secretary.

Mines Bureau beefs up for ISO certification, spearheads series of training for employees

By: LRS Basilio

To beef up its ISO certification, Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region II spearheaded trainings in furtherance of its employees’ knowledge and skills needed to achieve said certification.

Employees of MGB attended the ISO training entitled “Embracing IMS: Quality, Environment, Health and Safety held on August 23, 2017 at MGB conference hall.
Employees of MGB attended the ISO training entitled “Embracing IMS: Quality, Environment, Health and Safety held on August 23, 2017 at MGB conference hall.

During the first part of the training, Dennis O. Buendia of Land Transportation Office Region II served as resource speaker who talked about Awareness and Simple Defensive Driving.

Buendia lectured on the salient features of Anti-Distracted Driving Act, Seatbelt Use Act of 1999, Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009, Anti-Drunk/Driving Act of 2003, and other rules and regulations governing land transportation.

“We need to be aware of these laws for our own safety and of our passengers,” he said during the lecture proper.

He likewise discussed the documentary requirements for driver’s permit and vehicle registration.

Meanwhile, after the discussion of Mr. Buendia, Ms. Rachel G. Miguel, training specialist of Cagayan State University also talked about on Effective Communication Skills for a Happier Working Relationship.

Ms. Miguel put emphasis on stress management and communication skills of the head management and the rank and file.