The staff of the Mine Safety, Environment, and Social Development Division [ MSESDD ] of the Mines and Geoscience Bureau X [ MGB X ] led by its chief, Engr. Rodante B. felina, along with the MGBX regional Director, Felizardo A. Gacad, Jr., Cunducted a capacity building among the barangay Officials and stakeholders from the Academe, Church, and Senior Citizens of Barangay Natumolan held in Barangay Natumolon, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental on August 22, 2022.
In line with MGBX’s gola to gear towards developing, informing, and capacitating the mindsets and skills of LGU and stakeholders, the capacity building aimed to equip participants on the impacts and mitigating measures of Quarry Operations, the benefits of Mining, and the Social Development and Management program [ SDMP ] Accomplishments of permit Holders implemented within their area. Moreover, a creation of Barangay Technical Working Group [ BTWG ] was created to conduct monitoring and planning for necessary programs in the furture.
The activity started with an opening message of RD Gacad Jr. He emphasized that the work on continually implementing responsible mining that is pro-people, pro-development, and pro-environmnet is not a one-man job. In fact, success comes from teamwork and cooperation. He urged the participants to work hand in hand and continually communicate issues and concerns to address by the responsible party/ies. Subsequently, a discussion on the Impacts and mitigating measures of Quarry Operations and a touch of the rules and regulations of R.A. 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 was given By Engr. Felina. It was followed with a brief run-down of the benefits of mining given by Supervisng SRS Virginia R. Verdejo. The SDMP Accomplishments of LYL Development Corporation, ORO NQA Enterprises, and The Site Rocks Mis Or. of implemented programs were also presented by Community Affairs Officers II Ai-let R. castro. Meanwhile, ms. Verdejo took over the activity of creating the BTWG after a short open forum.
At the end of the activity, Punong Barangay, Hon. Rafael P. Vidal expressed his gratitude and was humbled by the presence of the MGBX Regional Director. According to him, he does not often see RDs visiting in their small Barangay as he is aware of their busy schedule and thus appreciates the effort and commitment to give time for them. Moreover, he gave his full support to MGBX, and the Permit Holders on working hand-in-hand to continually implement and promote responsible mining especially in Barangay Natumolan, Tagoloan, Misamis oriental.
