Iloilo City – The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) commemorated its 126th founding anniversary with a nationwide simultaneous culmination activity on November 29, 2024, honoring the bureau’s legacy as the primary government agency responsible for the conservation, management, and development of the nation’s mineral resources.
In his message delivered during the program, DENR Assistant Secretary for Mining Concerns and concurrent MGB OIC Director Michael V. Cabalda addressed his fellow public servants underscoring MGB’s constant role in the nation’s growth. He urged them to embrace the future and intensify their efforts to achieve MGB’s vision of a minerals industry that contributes greatly to economic growth and the general well-being of our communities through responsible mining.
MGB Regional Office 6 personnel offered a Eucharistic Celebration on November 11, 2024, at the regional office to commemorate MGB’s historic milestone. Joining the asynchronous nationwide culmination activity via Zoom, MGB VI held team building and wellness activities in Villa Azul at Oton, Iloilo.
One of the team-building activities was a cook-off featuring the Filipino dish “adobo” dubbed “OhMyGADobo” that tested the teamwork, culinary arts, and gastronomic talents of MGB VI personnel. It was initiated by the MGB VI Regional Gender and Development Focal Point System (GADFPS).
The giving of loyalty service award to qualified MGB VI personnel highlighted the culmination activity. A loyalty award is given every five years after rendering ten years of continuous and satisfactory service in the government.
OIC Regional Director Cecilia L. Ochavo-Saycon encouraged MGB 6 personnel give their best at all times in doing their job and strive for excellence in fulfilling our mandate as a public service office.
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau was established during the Spanish colonial regime, and then named as “Inspeccion General de Minas.” It took charge of the administration and disposition of minerals and mineral lands. The Office, however, was abolished on July 1, 1886, but its functions and personnel were merged with the General Directorate of Civil Administration.
By the decree signed by President General Emilio Aguinaldo on November 28, 1898, MGB was created as one office under the Departamento de Fomento. On November 29, 1898, President General Emilio Aguinaldo signed a decree creating the four (4) divisions of Departamento de Fomento, translated as Department of Public Welfare, and one of these divisions was the Industry and Agriculture Division. The Mines Section and the Mountains Sections were formed under the director of Industry and Agriculture and Publicas. (MGB VI)
