The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region 13 (MGB-13) conducted a seminar in the provinces of Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands with the Diocese of Surigao sectoral members participating to improve knowledge of the religious sector regarding the mining industry.
The Awareness on Mineral Resources Seminar aimed to educate the participants on mineral resources and the mining industry itself.
A critical collaboration with the mining industry and the Diocese of Surigao which has a jurisdiction in the provinces of Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands has been around for years with the latter becoming instrumental in molding the face of the mining industry in the said provinces.
The said collaboration started since the Diocese of Surigao became a member of the Mine Rehabilitation Fund Committees and Multi-Partite Monitoring Teams in 1999.
Meanwhile, the seminar focused on the positive impacts in communities; the possible negative effects of the industry alongside the corresponding measure to be taken by mining companies to lessen said effects; to the actions needed to be carried out by concerned regulatory government agencies.
MGB-13 Geosciences Division Chief Romeo M. Dalodado and selected technical personnel gave substantial presentations on Geology and Mineralization of Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands; Mining Policies and Tenement Updates; Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program; Employment and Taxes derived from Mining; and Social Development and Management Program.
Information, Education and Communications Officer of Taganito HPAL Nickel Corporation Reid Bautista, on the other hand, presented his company’s best social development and management program practices and corporate social responsibility initiatives with a video presentation showing the social development projects of THPAL.
The seminar has been an essential for the other diocesan member to keep themselves informed of relevant information and developments in the mining industry in the said provinces through an awareness campaign activity.
The event which was held on April 10, 2019 at the Cathedral Parish Hall, San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish, in Surigao City was attended by the clergy, nuns, seminarians and social action workers of the Diocese of Surigao.
