MGB heightens awareness on mineral resources, geosciences to Dinagat villages
By Susil D. Ragas
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, June 17 (PIA) – In keeping with the programs under its 2019 Communication Plan for Minerals Development, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) 13 continues to heighten awareness of its regulatory functions and the socioeconomic contributions of the minerals industry.
Just recently, the agency has conducted an awareness drive on mineral resources and geosciences and IEC campaign on gender and development on May 8 to 10, 2019 in Barangays Mahayahay, Don Ruben and San Juan in the Municipality of San Jose, Province of Dinagat Islands.
MGB 13 Regional Director Engr. Glenn Marcelo C. Noble said the activity is one of the major programs of the MGB Regional Office that aims to provide substantial information on MGB regulatory functions. “It also aims to communicate the social and economic contributions of the local minerals industry to the region,” he said.
Noble added that the identified geohazards in the municipality of San Jose were presented in order to strengthen the disaster risk reduction management and capabilities of the barangay local government units.
Noble further said that the MGB’s Gender and Development Focal Point System presented its gender equality and women’s empowerment goals to recognize the important roles of women in various aspects of development.
“It is formulated to intensify Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaign in Caraga Region. It is also aimed at strengthening ties and partnerships with various stakeholders particularly the barangay local government units and civil society organizations,” Noble said.
The participants’ awareness of the following topics were heightened with presentations and discussions – Mining Policies and Tenement Updates; Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program; Employment and Taxes derived from Mining; Social Development and Management Program; Geohazards; Geology and Mineralization and Gender and Development.
At the end of the presentations, an open forum ensued wherein the participants raised issues and concerns in relation to the topics discussed.
Barangay Captains Bienvenido Quiñanola of Mahayahay, Wilma Gella of Don Ruben and Generito Molo of San Juan expressed their appreciation and gratitude for the good opportunity to have established linkages with the agency and other stakeholders.
The officials and staff of the aforementioned barangays participated in the said activity together with the identified representatives from the academe, religious sector and civil society organizations.
Source: Philippine Information AGency