by mgb6iloilo | Dec 2, 2024 | Blog
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... read more
by mgb6iloilo | Nov 29, 2024 | Blog
Iloilo City – The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office VI (MGB VI) held separate public hearings in Sibalom, and San Remegio on November 15 and November 26, respectively, with an upcoming one scheduled in Patnongon on December 5, 2024. All public hearings are being conducted within the province of Antique. The public hearing is an integral part of the National Mineral Reservation Program, providing a platform for stakeholders—including concerned sectors, communities, non-government organizations, people’s organizations, and local government units—to express their views on the establishment, disestablishment, or modification of a mineral reservation area. The Mines and Geosciences Bureau is the primary government agency under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) responsible for the conservation, management, development, and proper use of the country’s mineral resources including those in reservations, and lands of the public domain as specified in Republic Act No. 7942, also known as the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, and its Implementing Rules and Regulations. What is a Mineral Reservation? A Mineral Reservation is defined as an area established and proclaimed by the President of the Philippines as a site containing strategic mineral resources essential for the country’s economic and industrial development or for scientific, cultural, or ecological purposes. These areas are set aside under the authority of Republic Act No. 7942, and its Implementing Rules and Regulations, including DENR Administrative Order No. 2010-21. Mineral Reservations are declared to preserve strategic raw materials needed for national development, protect certain minerals for their scientific, cultural, or ecological value and promote orderly development and utilization of mineral resources. The declaration of a Mineral Reservation is made through... read more
by mgb6iloilo | Oct 28, 2024 | Blog
[Iloilo City] – The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office VI conducted a two-day capacity-building event for its personnel on October 17 to 18, 2024 at the Iloilo Grand Hotel. OIC Regional Director Cecilia L. Ochavo-Saycon, in her welcome message underscored the importance of continuously providing the organization with opportunities for continued learning that would lead to enhancing productivity and meeting our commitment to providing the highest quality services and solutions to our clients. She also emphasized that professionalism is a manifestation of one’s inner character more than the externalities. One of the topics was on building a professional image for civil servants in adherence to the code of conduct and ethical standards for government employees tackled by the resource speaker Dr. Ian C. Espada of the College of Communication of the West Visayas State University. MGB VI personnel also learned more about the policy on the Ease of Doing Business through the orientation given by Dharyl Strawberry C. Fabe, resource speaker from the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), Western Visayas Regional Office. The policies on the insurance benefits of government employees in preparation for retirement and other eventualities of life was taken up through the presentation of Yvette Marie M. Panaguiton, resource speaker from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS). Financial literacy and earning from savings were highlighted by Mark Ken C. Carmelita, resource speaker from PAGIBIG fund who presented the programs of their agency. Meanwhile, Engr. Ethylwyne Paran of MGB VI gave a re-echo of the Capability-Building Seminar-Workshop on the DENR Action Center/Hotline 8888 Operations and Tickets Resolution and 8888 Complaints Handling and Disposition that she attended during... read more
by mgb6iloilo | Oct 28, 2024 | Blog
ADVISORY FOR THE LOCAL CHIEF EXECUTIVES, REGION 6 RE: TROPICAL STORM LEON (KONG-REY) October 27, 2024 Based on the Tropical Cyclone Bulletin NR. 4 of DOST-PAGASA issued at 5:00 PM of 27 October 2024, and valid until 11:00 PM of the same day, the center of Tropical Storm LEON (KONG-REY) was estimated based on all available data at 1,000 km East of Central Luzon (16.7°N, 131.5°E). Its maximum sustained winds of 75 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 90 km/h, and central pressure of 992 hPa. In addition, its present movement is westward at 20 km/h and the extent of the tropical cyclone winds is strong to gale-force winds extending outwards up to 560 km from the center. In view of this, the outer rainbands of LEON may affect Extreme Northern Luzon and may continue to influence the Southwesterly Windflow initially triggered by Severe Tropical Storm Trami (formerly “KRISTINE”), which may affect Visayas, Mindanao, and the western section of Southern Luzon in the coming days. This will bring moderate to heavy rains over Western Visayas which may further cause possible flashfloods or landslides. Thus, all residents within Western Visayas Region who are living near/along and at the mouth of river channels, coastal areas, low-lying areas and within areas classified having High to Very High Landslide and Flood Susceptibility Ratings, are advised to take appropriate measures, coordinate with local disaster risk reduction and management offices, and continue monitoring for updates, especially the Tropical Cyclone Advisories and Heavy Rainfall Warnings to be issued by PAGASA Regional Services Divisions. The Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Region 6 warns that the typhoon... read more
by mgb6iloilo | Oct 27, 2024 | Blog
[Iloilo City] – The Mines and Geosciences Bureau conducted a training workshop on Mining Statistics and Information Dissemination for Effective Data Compilation, Management, and Visualization on October 21 to 25, 2024 at Eurotel North Edsa in Quezon City. The activity commenced with the Welcome Remarks of DENR Assistant Secretary Michael V. Cabalda, Assistant Secretary for Mining Concerns and concurrent MGB OIC Director. Asec Cabalda emphasized the importance of a comprehensive and accurate data-gathering process to reflect the contributions of the minerals industry to the economy. Engr. Romualdo D. Aguilos, Chief of Mineral Economics, Information and Publication Division of MGB Central Office presented the objectives and rationale of the training. Information Technology Specialists, Systems Network Administrators, ICT Focal Persons and concerned Administrative Officers (V and III) of Regional Offices also participated in the said activity via virtual mode. (MGB... read more
by mgb6iloilo | Oct 23, 2024 | Blog
ADVISORY FOR THE LOCAL CHIEF EXECUTIVES, REGION 6 RE: TROPICAL STORM KRISTINE (TRAMI) The Mines and Geosciences Bureau VI warns that the typhoon may trigger possible landslides and floods due to the moderate to heavy rain falls in the areas of Western Visayas classified as susceptible to landslide and floods based on the Geohazard Maps (1:10,00 scale). It is advised that the LGUs refer to the Geohazard Maps distributed to the respective municipalities/cities and take precautionary measures to include pre-emptive evacuations if necessary. Stay safe and vigilant everyone!... read more
by mgb6iloilo | Oct 1, 2024 | Blog
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau VI (MGB-6), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is nearing completion of its coastal geohazard mapping for San Carlos City, Calatrava and Sagay City in Negros Occidental. It has completed the geohazard mapping of Kabankalan City, Ilog, Sipalay City and Kabankalan City and Hinobaan, Negros Occidental and Iloilo City during in the first semester of this year. Coastal hazards such as storm surges, tsunami, coastal flooding or inundation, coastal landslide or slope failure, beach erosion, coastal subsidence, accretion or siltation and sand deposition can cause vulnerability in our coastal areas and threaten lives, according to Adeline Grace M. Torreda, supervising geologist of MGB VI during a learning event of a maritime school in Iloilo City. One of the work targets under the geological risk reduction and resiliency Program of MGB is coastal geohazard mapping of coastal areas nationwide. This activity is an offshoot of the national geohazard assessment and mapping program of the DENR that has developed into a more detailed scale. Assessing and mapping coastal geologic hazards is an effort to safeguard vulnerable coastal communities. The initiative aims to assess and mitigate the potential impact of coastal hazards. MGB specifically looks into erosion, flooding, and coastal subsidence, accretion or siltation and sand deposition that threaten coastal areas. According to her, MGB has conducted coastal geohazard mapping for more than 70 percent of the total municipalities and cities of Region 6. We have set annual targets and we have projected to complete the mapping our remaining target of 25 municipalities in 2028, Torreda said. Assessing and mapping coastal vulnerability is an important reference... read more
by mgb6iloilo | Sep 26, 2024 | Blog
Iloilo City – The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office VI (MGB VI) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) conducted a lecture on geologic hazards to around 275 senior high school students of the John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University (JBLFMU), Arevalo, Inc. on September 25, 2024. MGB VI supervising geologist Dr. Leilanie O. Suerte engaged the interest of senior high school students with her presentation entitled, “Understanding Geology and Geologic Hazards.” Dubbed “Pahanumdom: Senior High School DRRR Talk Series with the theme ‘Empowering the Next Generation for a Resilient Future’, the learning event is part of the ongoing advocacy of JBLFMU (Arevalo) Inc. to promote awareness and preparedness among students regarding Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction (DRRR). According to the school administrator Mr. Robert O. Parcia, MSMM in his opening message, “The best defense is awareness and preparedness in the face of natural calamities. It’s not just about being resilient but being prepared.” Today’s activity is a timely event considering we are in the season of the year when we experience many typhoons, he added. JBLFMU (Arevalo) invited MGB VI to lecture on geologic hazards to equip the students with a deeper understanding of the importance of disaster risk reduction, preparedness, and response, particularly in the context of environmental hazards such as geologic hazards. MGB VI lecturer Dr. Leilanie O. Suerte talked about the different types of landslides and floods specifically induced by heavy rainfall. She expounded on the triggering mechanisms, contributing factors, and measures to prevent disasters from happening, achieve zero casualties, and lessen negative impacts on the environment, infrastructures, and livelihood. She discussed... read more
by mgb6iloilo | Sep 12, 2024 | Blog
MGB VI is looking for (1) Technical Personnel (Contract of Service) preferably a Licensed Geologist.Interested applicants may send their application letter and CV to:CECILIA L. OCHAVO-SAYCONOIC Regional DirectorMines and Geosciences Bureau VIQueen City Garden Mall, J. De Leon St., Iloilo Cityemail address: mgbro6iloilo@gmail.comPlease note that the deadline for submission is on September 25, 2024.... read more
by mgb6iloilo | Sep 11, 2024 | Blog
Iloilo City – The Provincial Mining Regulatory Board (PMRB) and Provincial Mine Rehabilitation Fund Committee (PMRFC) of the six provinces in Region 6 held their 11th regional summit last August 28-30, 2024 at Diversion 21 Hotel in Iloilo City. Centering on the theme “Strengthening the Functions and Bridging Gaps of PMRFCs and P/CMRB for an Environmentally Sustainable and Socially Responsible Mining Industry,” the members of the P/CMRB and PMRFC of each province gathered to review the implementation of current policies and learn more about the recently issued policies. The Provincial Mining Regulatory Board (PMRB) in the Philippines is a local government body established under the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 (Republic Act No. 7942). It is tasked with overseeing small-scale mining activities within a province. Each province with significant mining activity has its own PMRB, which works under the supervision of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Regional Office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). On the other hand, the Mine Rehabilitation Fund Committee (MRFC) is a key regulatory body that oversees the implementation of environmental management, rehabilitation, and closure plans for mining projects. Under the supervision of the MGB, its main purpose is to ensure that mining operations comply with environmental laws and regulations, particularly in mined-out areas, and mitigate environmental impacts. MGB VI OIC Regional Director Cecilia L. Ochavo-Saycon said the mining industry faces many challenges but the presence of each one during the summit underscores a collective commitment to converse and dialogue on working together productively. The shared goal and responsibility are to achieve a responsive, systematic, and balanced environment for businesses to... read more
