Iloilo City –The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office 6 (DENR, MGB RO 6) conducted a review and assessment of its accomplishments cum on December 20, 2017, at the Diversion 21 Hotel Iloilo City.
Regional Director Leo Van V. Juguan, CESO V in his year-end message relayed the speech of DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu that he delivered during the 64TH Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA) held in Camp John Hay, Baguio City, on November 24, 2017. The speech of DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu has key messages regarding the challenges faced by the mining industry, the pronouncements of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on mining, the DENR’s position and commitment to its mandate of ensuring that responsible mining governs the development and utilization of the country’s mineral resources.
Meanwhile, the 2017 accomplishments of MGB RO 6 were reviewed and assessed, and the learning and opportunities for improvement from the year’s operations and activities. MGB RO 6 is mandated to ensure the judicious utilization of the mineral resources while protecting the environment through its processing of mining permit and tenement applications, monitoring areas covered by permits, and implementing safety, health and social development policies and programs.MGB also plays a major role in the assessment and mapping of geologic hazards in the country, vulnerability risk assessment, groundwater resource assessment, coastal geohazard assessment, karst or sinkhole assessment, geological mapping and information, education and communication (IEC) on its technical findings.
One of the highlights of the 2017 accomplishments of the DENR MGB RO 6 is being the first MGB Regional Office to pass the ISO audit in three standards, namely the ISO 9001:2015 or the Quality Management Standard (QMS), ISO 14001:2015 or the Environmental Management Standard (EMS) and the ISO 18001:2015 which is the Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series (OHSAS). In a recent Stage 2 audit, the DENR-MGB RO 6 passed all three standards and is waiting for the official certification before the year ends.
A presentation on the MGB’s Gender and Development programs and activities showed a successful implementation of GAD program by a mining company highlighting the role of women in mining. Replicating the GAD program in Region 6 was being considered by the GAD Working Group.
In closing, RD Juguan said that CY 2017 proved to be a hectic but fruitful year for the MGB Regional Office 6 considering its work targets, time factor, and intervening work activities. (IEC, MGB RO6)