by Elsa S. Subong of PIA-6 (With inputs from MGB-6 Press Release)
ILOILO CITY, August 7 (PIA) -– As disaster risk reduction and management cuts across all social services sector, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) joined in the caravan initiated by the Office of the Ombudsman in Negros Occidental recently.
MGB-6 Regional Director Leo Van Juguan said disaster risk reduction and management is a social as well as economic and political responsibility of government agencies and the local government units, which should be delivered to the public.
Juguan said, the office has a mandate to inform the people that government through the MGB has the responsibility to promote exploration and development of the country’s mineral resources while safeguarding the environment and the rights of the affected communities.
In previous interviews with the Philippine Information Agency-6, Juguan said the province of Negros Occidental is a vibrant community where mining is concerned, because of so many potentials for exploration.
He said this situation often causes conflicts such that the MGB has to let the public understand that government is for responsible mining, based on existing laws that have provisions for regulation.
He said responding to the environmental, social, safety and health provisions of the mining law, the MGB Office conducts environmental monitoring of mining exploration areas, monitoring of compliance to safety, health and environmental standards, and issuance of permits related to safety, health, mechanical and electrical-related permits.
On the other hand, a major program of the MGB is the Geohazard Assessment and Mapping of disaster prone areas particularly landslides and flooding, for information and disaster management.
Juguan said the results of geohazards assessment and mapping is disseminated to all concerned, especially the local government units so that they can properly act.
MGB records showed that in Negros Occidental, towns with villages which are highly prone to landslides are San Carlos, La Castellana, Calatrava, Don Salvador bendictor, Isabela, Monteverde, Cadiz, Murcia, Cauayan, Silay, Candoni, Kabankalan, Ilog, and E.B. Magalona.
Juguan said joining the Ombudsman caravan to these areas is for the MGB to come face to face with communities which need reminders to take seriously the geohazard maps, act on them and minimize damages.
For the mining communities, Juguan expects better understanding of mining laws. (ESS/PIA-Iloilo/MGB-6)