Iloilo City – The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) conducted the 12th Panel of Arbitrators and Mines Adjudication Board (MAB) Seminar-Workshop on Mining Conflict/Dispute Resolution and MGB- Office for Alternative Dispute Resolution (OADR) Accredited Mediators’ Oath-Taking Ceremony on May 6 – 10, 2024 at Marzon Hotel Kalibo, Jaime Cardinal Sin Avenue, Andagao, Kalibo, Aklan.
In compliance with Republic Act 11032, otherwise known as the “Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007,” the activity is a yearly event conducive to transforming and further equipping legal officers and technical members of the MAB and PA in dispute resolution alongside the adoption of digital processes in the efficient and speedy delivery of public service. This year’s discussions centered on the theme “Innovations in the Mining Industry: Dispute Resolution, Mediation, and Digital Transformation.”
The participants were composed of the DENR Central Office Legal Adviser and Legal Officers of the Mines Adjudication Board headed by DENR-Legal Affairs Service Director Atty. Norlito A. Eneran, LLM, CESO III, MGB Central Office Legal Service Division OIC Chief Atty. Josephine V. Sescon, Legal Staff and MAB Secretariat and the Policy, Planning and International Affairs Division (PPIAD), DENR Regional Offices Chairpersons and Members of the Panel of Arbitrators, MGB Regional Offices Legal Officers, Technical Members, Records Custodians, Administrative Division, and MGBEA Representative and additional OADR Passers.
MGB Region 6 OIC-RD Cecilia L. Ochavo-Saycon commenced the program with an opening message on the first day. The focus of the activity was branched into three major topics which are: (1) Proposed Amendments to the Rules on Pleading, Practice, and Procedure before the Panel of Arbitrators and MAB, (2) Formulation of ADR Rules on Mediation for Mining and ENR-Related Cases, and (3) To Finalize the Legal Information System (LegIS) and all other administrative operational matters.
The participants were divided into three break-out groups during the workshop proper. These gave them ample opportunity to exchange ideas during small group discussions. The presentation of outputs was held on the fourth day, followed by an interactive open forum with the MAB legal adviser and officers. The MGB-OADR Passers’ Oath-Taking Ceremony was successfully conducted as well.
The event ended with a closing message given by Atty. Josephine V. Sescon, OIC Chief, MGB Legal Service Division in concurrent capacity as Chief, Mines Adjudication Board Secretariat. The seminar-workshop is a timely event to strengthen members of the PA and MAB with the necessary legal concepts in implementing their functions for better services to the public.
