ILOILO City – As part of its thrust for transparency and stakeholders participation which are key elements in ensuring Responsible Mining, MGB-6 6 has geared up and strengthened its information, education and communication (IEC) activities to various stakeholders and fora.
Briefing of newly-elected governors
In July and August this year, MGB-6 held briefings for the newly-elected governors in the provinces of Antique, Iloilo and Negros Occidental. This was done to orient the new governors on the programs and services of the Bureau, the potential for and the status of mining in their respective provinces. The provincial government executives were also briefed on the roles and functions of the local government in the issuance of mining permits both issued by MGB and those devolved to the LGUs, and the province’s income through taxes and fees collected from mining.
The status of geohazards mapping and assessment program in each province was also part of the information briefing package given to the three governors.
The briefing of the new governors was done on the following dates: with Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo G. Marañon, Jr on July 19, 2010, with Antique Governor Exequiel B. Javier on August 5, 2010, and with Iloilo Governor Arthur D. Defensor, Sr. on August 24, 2010.
Lecture on Responsible Mining to the Regional Environmental Education Network (REEN)
MGB-6 OIC, Office of the Regional Director Rene B. de la Cruz gave a lecture on the government’s policy framework on Responsible Mining during the Launching and Distribution of IEC Materials by the Iloilo Provincial Government for the Regional Environmental Education Network (REEN) on September 23, 2010. Heads of different secondary schools in Iloilo, local government units and other government agencies attended the said activity. Other lecturers on other topics include Dr. Lucita C. de Guzman on Solid Waste Management, Prof. Marilou Ang Lopez of the U.P. in the Visayas on Vermicomposting, Dr. Resurreccion B. Sadaba of the U.P. in the Visayas Oil Spill Response Program talked on Mangrove, and Dr. Jessica C. Salas of the Kahublagan sang Panimalay Foundation, Inc. on Rainwater Harvesting Technology: Adaptation to Climate Change. It was held at the Conference Hall of the Iloilo Provincial Capitol.
Salient Provisions of the Mining Laws and Regulations for the Deputized Cave and Wildlife Enforcement Officers
MGB-6 helped equip the Deputized Cave and Wildlife Enforcement Officers with the salient environmental laws and regulations during their training on September 24, 2010 at the Iloilo Grand Hotel. It was organized by the Protected Areas and Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management Service (PAWCZMS) of the DENR in Region 6.
The participants were deputized cave and wildlife enforcement officers from the provinces and municipalities, non-government organizations, and the Philippine National Police, Region 6.
MGB-6 OIC, Office of the Regional Director Rene B. de la Cruz gave a lecture on the salient provisions of Republic Act 7942 and its implementing rules and regulations, particularly on provisions governing the permits given for extraction of guano phosphate which are found in caves.
Dialogue with the Church
MGB-6 arranged to hold a dialogue with the Archdiocese of Jaro to discuss issues on mining and how the government responds to these issues through its policy framework on Responsible Mining. The Catholic Church through the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) had always expressed concerns on the environmental and social impacts of mining.
The Archdiocese of Jaro welcomed such proposal and a dialogue was held on October 18, 2010 at the Bishop’s Palace in Jaro. The Reverend Archbishop Angel N. Lagdameo, Msgr. Meliton Oso, Chairman of the Jaro Archdiocesan Social Action Center (JASAC), three other priests and pastoral workers attended the dialogue. Mr. Glenn Noble, Chief of the Mineral Economics and IEC Division of MGB Central Office and OIC-Office of the Regional Director of MGB-6 Rene B. de la Cruz presented the government’s policy framework on Responsible Mining and an update on the status of the minerals industry in Region 6, respectively. The results of the geohazards mapping and assessment of the region was likewise given.
Spreading the news through the media
MGB-6 always finds an effective and prolific partner with the media when trying to reach as many audiences as possible in giving information.
The Philippine Information Agency Region 6 had MGB-6 OIC, Office of the Regional Director Rene B. de la Cruz as its guest during its Community Communications Network (CCN) program on October 21, 2010 talking about the geohazards mapping and assessment program of MGB-6 recently completed in the region.
An interview with the ABS-CBN Iloilo was likewise held on November 15, 2010with OIC, ORD Rene B. de la Cruz and Mae Y. Magarzo, OIC, Geosciences Division tackling updates on the status of mining permits and applications and the results of the geohazards mapping and assessment in the region.