MINES AND GEOSCIENCES INFORMATION CENTER OPEN ...

Paltek di Cordillera 1

Issue No. 1 CY 2019

T he Mines and Geosciences

Information Center has been

formally opened on

November 22, 2019. The opening was graced

by the DENR Undersecretary for Climate

Change Service and Mining Concerns,

USEC Analiza Rebuelta-Teh, DENR Assistant

Secretary Nonita S. Caguioa, MGB Director,

Atty. Wilfredo G. Moncano, MGB Assistant

Director, Atty. Danilo U. Uykieng and the MGB

Regional Directors from all over the

country.

The center aims to cater to researchers and

the general public who wish to learn more

about mining and geosciences in general

and is under the initiative of Mines and

Geosciences Bureau-Cordillera Administrative

Region (MGB-CAR) led by its regional

director RD Fay W. Apil.

The building which served as the DENR-CAR

Regional Executive Director’s Office has been

endorsed to the care of MGB-CAR and is

being utilized as the information center.

MINES AND GEOSCIENCES

INFORMATION CENTER

OPEN IN BAGUIO CITY

2 Paltek di Cordillera

#MineResponsibility— A Continuing Commitment to Responsible Mining

O n November 8, 2019, the Department of

Environment and Natural Resources through the Mines and Geosciences Bureau launched the campaign dubbed as #MineResponsibility. This a nationwide information campaign which is part of an intensified drive to ensure responsible mining in the country. The brainchild of DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu and DENR Undersecretary for Climate Change and Mining Concerns Atty. Analiza Rebuelta-Teh, the campaign seeks to recreate a clearer and more factual image of the mining industry in the Philippines. The campaign consists of materials that employ different media platforms, especially the social media.

In a video statement shown during the program Sec. Cimatu said, "We now have better and stronger policies in place to protect the environment and local communities and to mine with a long-term positive effect. We should not be wasting the massive mineral wealth of the Philippines when it can be used to benefit the people. Moving forward, our goal is to harness the mineral wealth for progress and development and the key to that is responsible mining.”

Responsible mining is taking place and continuously practiced, we just have to intensify involvement and awareness among the industry’s stakeholders.

EDITORIAL TEAM:

Fay W. Apil OIC, Regional Director

Alfredo J. Genetiano Chief, Mine Management Division

Benigno Cesar L. Espejo OIC, Geosciences Division

Francisco M. Bilog OIC, Finance and Administrative Division

Sydney C. Lalwet OIC, Mine Safety, Environment, and Social

Development Division

Sheila May V. Sanqui Information Officer II

Contributors: Science Research Specialists

Finance and Administrative Division Geosciences Division

Mine Management Division Mine Safety, Environment and Social

Development Division

Office Address: Mines and Geosciences Bureau-CAR 80 Diego Silang Street, 2600 Baguio City

Telephone Number: (074) 442-6392 Fax Number: (074) 304-2596

E-mail addresses: [email protected];mgb.cordillera @ gmail.com Website: www.car.mgb.gov.ph

FB: Mgb Cordillera

IN THIS ISSUE:

Info Center Opens ……………………. Page 1 Tublay miners gather……………….. Page 8

Editorial ……………………………………

RD’s Viewpoint ………………………… Page 3

MGB reps in Japan ……. …..………... Page 9

1st SSM contract …………...………. Page 10

MGB-CAR hosts ATF ………...........Page 4-5 Rescuers & Fire suppression ……. Page 11

Geohazard maps ………………. Page 6-7 MGB’s 121st anniversary……………Page 12

EDITORIAL

Photo from www.mgb.gov.ph


T he Cordillera Administrative Region is generally

highly susceptible to landslides because of its

geological characteristics. We live in a rugged and

mountainous landscape characterized by steep slopes, thus

making us prone to geological hazards.

These hazards are usually brought about by prolonged

periods of heavy rainfall that greatly affect the stability of our

area. The region have perennially experienced massive and continuing landslides due to heavy

precipitation and extensive human activities that impact natural geological processes. This is a reality

we must altogether consider with deep conviction and comprehensive planning.

Collaborative efforts in addressing these hazards is the only way to go. Cooperation among local

government units, national government agencies and the civil society is urgent. It requires setting

aside differences and coming as one

for effective geohazard mitigation

measures. More than ever, now is

the time to put our heads together

and draft concrete mitigation

measures that involve participation

from all stakeholders.

The regional bureau reiterates its

deep commitment to providing

technical assistance in the planning

and implementation of geohazard

mitigation measures that would serve

the interests of the people and

reduce risks to the Cordillerans.

RD’s VIEWPOINT

The urgency of geohazard

mitigation measures

MGB-CAR Regional Director Fay W. Apil, explains the landslide map of Baguio City to Baguio City Mayor Elect Benjamin Magalong, as DENR-CAR RED Ralph C. Pablo, ARD for Technical Services Augusto Lagon and ARD for Management Services, Atty. Cleo Andrada listen intently, during the 32nd Anniversary celebration of DENR-CAR in Pacdal, Baguio City.


T he Mines and Geosciences Bureau-Cordillera Administrative Region (MGB-CAR)

successfully hosted this year’s Annual Technical Forum held at the Holiday Inn

Baguio City Centre, Legarda Road, Baguio City on November 18-20, 2019.

With the theme “Mining and Geosciences: #MineResponsibility”, at least fifteen (15)

papers were presented during the forum. Four policy papers were presented while eleven

were technical and dealt mostly on geosciences.

The distinguished Panel of Judges was composed of retired Provincial Environment and

Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Octavio B. Cuanso, retired MGB Region XII Regional

Director Engr. Constancio A. Paye, Jr., Engr. Ludwig John Pascual of Pilipinas MetDev Inc.,

Dr. Dymphna Nolasco-Javier, Dean of College of Science, UP-Baguio and retired DENR

Regional Executive Director Clarence DL Baguilat, who chaired the panel.

Best papers in the forum were chosen based on Presentation, Content/Relevance,

Originality and Audience Interest/Impact. The judges chose the paper entitled “Karst

MGB-CAR HOSTS ANNUAL TECHNICAL FORUM

PANEL OF JUDGES WITH MGB-CAR RD FAY W. APIL (3rd from right). From right to left: Ret. PENRO Octavio B. Cuanso, Ret. RED Clarence DL Baguilat; RD Apil, Dr. Dymphna Nolasco-Javier; Engr. Ludwig John H. Pascual and Ret. RD Engr. Constancio A. Paye, Jr.


Subsidence Hazard Assessment in the Municipality of Opol in the Province of Misamis

Oriental as Best Technical Paper, and its presenter Ms. Daphne Niccole Galero as Best

Presenter. This was followed by the paper entitled “Adapting a Proactive, Risk-based

Approach in Mitigating

Landslide Risk along

Philippine Roadways”,

presented by Mr.

Marcius Elaeo G. Isip

and the paper on “Pilot

Scale production

of Nickel Pig Iron Using

Low Grade Laterite

Ores” and was

presented by Bernardo

V. Bitanga.

For the policy

papers, Mr, Allen C.

Cameros, who

presented “Measuring

Customer Satisfaction

Project FACE

(Feedback and

Assessment on

Customer Experience):

MGB XI’s Electronic

Customer Satisfaction

Survey, garnered first

place and was

followed by Engr. John

Mikel Ansao with “The

Benefits and

Challenges in the

Implementation of

Online Monitoring

of Performance

Rating System Using

Checklists and

Scorecard” and Mr.

Leo V. Virtucio who

presented the Implica-

tions of the IPCCs “Special Report on 1.5°C to the DENR’s Plans and Programs”.

PROUDLY CORDILLERAN. MGB-CAR personnel who served as front liners in the hosting of the forum led by RD Fay Apil.

Technical Forum Awardees with the Judges, MGB-CAR regional director, MGB officials and DENR Assistant Secretary for Mining Concerns and Finance, Asec. Nonita Caguioa.


Operation Golden Sunrise

I

n a bid to bring the

government closer to the

people, all the bureaus

and agencies under the De-

partment of Environment and

Natural Resources in the Cor-

dilleras conducted the Exhibit

cum Talakayan sa Parke. The

activity was held from July 3-

6, 2019 at the Malcolm

Square Park of Baguio City.

Mines and Geosciences

Bureau-Cordillera Administra-

tive Region (MGB-CAR)

placed the geohazard maps

generated by the bureau on

exhibit for the public to see.

Park goers and passersby

were able to check out their

areas against the maps on

display. Queries and

clarifications on the map

were immediately addressed.

GEOHAZARD

MAPS

EXHIBITED AT

MALCOLM

SQUARE

For inquiries call the Geosciences Division at Landline Number 304 2500


Oplan Itogon

Name of Barangay

Number of Sinkholes Size Range of Aperture (meter)

Asin Road 15 1-25

Dontogan 44 1-50

City Lagoon 1 5-8

Lourdes 4 10-30

Crystal Cave 7 4-50

Dominican Mirador 14 10-50

Irisan 26 1-60

Middle Quezon Hill 18 1.5-20

Total 129


S mall scale miners from the municipality of Tublay gathered on September 6, 2019 at the

Tublay Municipal Covered Court in Acop, Caponga, Tublay, Benguet. Together

with the local officials of the municipality led by the Honorable Mayor, Engr. Armando I.

Lauro, the miners of said municipality found a venue for clarifying their concerns regarding

the Minahang Bayan application processes.

Resource persons from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau-Cordillera Administrative

Region (MGB-CAR), the Technical Working Group of the Benguet Provincial Mining

Regulatory Board (TWG-PMRB), the Benguet Provincial Environment and Natural

Resources Office (BPENRO) and the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP)

presented on the different processes involved in the declaration of a Minahang Bayan in

the municipality.

The miners have been constantly reminded throughout the activity that their safety and well

-being is primarily important especially in this kind of inclement weather. Stoppage order for

small scale mining activities was again

emphasized.

The mayor in his talk encouraged all the

miners to pursue their applications for the

declaration of a minahang bayan and follow

the law.

On the other hand, the mining bureau

representatives expressed assurance of their

technical support for those who will pursue their

mining permit applications.

TUBLAY MINERS GATHER IN A FORUM

Hon. Armando I. Lauro, Tublay Mayor


MGB Representatives attended the Technical Training on Mine Pollution Prevention in Tokyo,

Japan on October 2-12, 2019. The training, which aims to contribute to the promotion of mine

pollution prevention measures in the Philippines, showcased Japan’s best practices in wastewater

treatment in abandoned and closed mine sites, through a combination of lectures and actual mine

visits.

MGB delegation included technical personnel from the central and different regional offices of the

bureau: Engr. Virginia P. Briones (CAR); Engr. Alvin S. Requimin (MiMaRoPa); Engr. Ronald C.

Villamora (VI); Engr. Ramon M. Alforte (IX); Engr. Richard U. Aquino (XI); Engr. Christie A. Apale

(XIII); Engr. Edgardo D. Castillo (CO) and Engr. Christine T. Battung (CO).

MGB REPS

ATTEND MINE

POLLUTION

PREVENTION

TRAINING IN

JAPAN

Japan Oil Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC) and Japan Mining Engineering and training center (JMEC) Officials pose with the participants from the Philippines.


M ay 2, 2019. This is a historical day for the small-scale miners of Loakan, Itogon as Regional

Director of the Cordillera Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Fay W. Apil in behalf of the Government

of the Philippines signed the first small-scale mining contract in the Cordillera Administrative Region

during the contract signing ceremony held at the covered court of the Loakan Elementary School in

Itogon.

Guests and speakers during the ceremony which included Benguet governor, Hon. Cresencio

Pacalso and the mayor of Itogon, Hon. Victorio Palangdan, lauded the day as history because this is

the first mining contract awarded to small-scale miners in the Cordillera after a long period of waiting.

They remarked that this is a moment to be proud of when small-scale miners could operate under

the wings of the nation’s laws.

In her remarks, RD Apil emphasized the significance of the contract since it is the first of its kind to

be awarded to small-scale miners in the region. She proceeded to thank everyone who continuously

worked to accomplish the requirements that led to the momentous event.

Lastly, the regional director posed the challenge to the members of the Loakan Itogon Pocket Miners

Association (LIPMA) to strictly adhere to the conditions of the contract and prove that small-scale

miners can practice responsible mining.

FIRST SMALL-SCALE MINING CONTRACT IN THE CORDILLERA ADMINISTRATIVE REGION SIGNED

Contract signed by RD Fay Apil, MGB-CAR Regional Director & Hon. Eduardo M. Kingay, LIPMA President (in green shirt); Atty Froilan Lawilao of Benguet Corp & Hon. Mayor Victorio Palangdan of Itogon signed as witnesses.

Standing at the back: officers and members of LIPMA together with their Barangay Captain, Hon. Andres C. Cuyan; Hon. Cresencio Pacalso, Benguet Governor, Dr. Peter Cosalan, PMRB member, Atty. Juan Nazarro, legal consultant, Engr. Julius del Rosario, Itogon Vice Mayor, Adriano Carantes, Jr.


Mines and Geosciences Bureau awarded Certificates of Recognition to the members of the Emergency Response Team of Philex Mining Corp. for their invaluable help in the search and rescue operations conducted for the victims of the earthquake that hit Luzon and greatly damaged structures in Pampanga this April 2019. Asec. Nonita Caguioa, DENR Assistant Secretary for Mining Concerns and Finance (2nd from left) and MGB Director Atty. Wilfredo G. Moncano (2nd from right) graced the occasion during the Annual Technical Forum 2019 held at Holiday Inn Baguio City on November 19, 2019.

MGB RECOGNIZES RESCUERS FROM PHILEX

MGB-CAR

TRAINS ON FIRE

SUPPRESSION

Fire Officer Challongen

assists an MGB-CAR

employee in handling the

fire extinguisher, during

the training-seminar on

Fire Prevention

conducted for the

employees of MGB-CAR

in August of this year.

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