In celebrating March 2012 as Women’s Month, the DENR MIMAROPA Gender and Development Focal Point System held a lecture forum on Geohazard Map Reading at the Regional Conference Room, 5th Floor, DENR By the Bay Building last March 20, 2012. This year’s Women’s Month occasion is inspired by the theme “Women Weathering Climate Change; Governance and Accountability, Everyone’s Responsibility”. The theme speaks for itself as it highlights the role of women in climate change adaptation and mitigation.

The half day forum was attended by 30 participants from the different sectors of DENR-IVB with MGB - MIMAROPA geologists acting as resource speakers. A film showing entitled “Living with Geologic Hazards” prepared by MGB was initially presented to the audience.  The film explains the basic principles of geohazard map reading and disaster early warning system. Dr. Edwin M. Mojares, OIC of the Geosciences Division, explained the works being done by MGB-MIRAROPA under the National Geohazard Assessment and Mapping Program which is one of the main thrusts of the bureau. He mentioned that MGB-IVB had already completed the 1:50,000 scale geohazard assessment and mapping of the 5 provinces of the region and is now actively pursuing the 1:10,000 scale mapping exercise in all priority geohazard areas. Mr. Arnold V. Villanueva on the other hand, discussed the numerous warning signs of landslide and other mass movement hazards while Mr. Lauro J. Panerio presented the various geohazard maps generated by the region. Additional information on the topics were discussed by Ms. Evelyn Diezmo who together with the team, facilitated the brainstorming on important geohazard issues. The forum provided not only information and awareness on geohazards, but most of all, gave the participants the option to respond to challenges on climate change.

 Many of us perceived that mining is destructive to the environment, but in the MIMAROPA Region,     we make sure that in exchange for the mineral resources that  the Mother Nature has given us, mining operators should give Her back a lush forest.

As part of our mandate to implement responsible mining to all operating mines  within our Region, we guarantee that those mined-out areas are immediately rehabilitated in a progressive manner. 

 As a proof of our dedication and commitments, progressive rehabilitation activities is strictly monitored and documented by the Multipartite Monitoring Team headed by MGB-IVB.  As shown in this picture, we have documented the progress of RTNMC’s mine rehabilitation.  Thus,  the mined-out after three years is now a forest with lush vegetation of endemic species.  We can prove therefore that “There is Life After Mining.”

 On the invitation of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Palawan Field Office through a letter of Ms. Evangeline A. Cuarte, Officer-in-Charge, Palawan Provincial Field Office – DOLE-IVB (MIMAROPA) sent to the DENR-IVB Regional Executive Director, Concordio D. Zuñiga, as MGB-IVB representative attended the PPTIPC meeting March 29, 2012 held at Skylight Hotel, Puerto Princesa upon the instruction of the Regional Director, Roland A. De Jesus. Among the attendees to the seminar/organizational meeting are representatives from the three major industries in Palawan namely, the mining, tourism and transport groups.

On the part of the mining industry, four (4) operating mining companies at Southern Palawan which included Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corporation, Coral Bay Nickel Corporation, Citinickel Mines & Development Corporation and Berong Nickel Corporation attended the one-day seminar and organizational meeting. Highlights of the meeting included the drafting of Joint Voluntary Code of Good Practices for Tourism, Mining and Transport Industries in Palawan.

The seminar was graced by Dir. Gil G. Caragayan, DOLE Regional Conciliation & Mediation Board, as main speaker, DOLE-IVB Regional Director Alvin Villamor, Calapan City, Ms. Evangeline A. Cuarte, OIC, Palawan Field Office, DOLE and Ms. Ma. Socorro U. Marquez of DOLE Palawan Field Office, among others.

By: Engr. Brix Abela, CBNC

Puerto Princesa City –  On a ceremonial dinner held at Telesforo Paredes Memorial Hall last June 13, 2011, Coral Bay Nickel Corporation (CBNC) was awarded Top Taxpayer of the Province of Palawan in the corporation/company category having remitted P 78.75M in real property tax in year 2010.

CBNC outdid other companies in Palawan of which second top highest taxpayer was Seven Seas Resort & Leisure Corporation which owns and operates Amanpulo Resort in Manamoc Island, Cuyo, Palawan which paid P 7.9M.

Third was Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corporation (RTNMC) in Rio Tuba, Bataraza, Palawan with P 5.97M.

Running in fourth and fifth places are Ten Knots Development Corporation in  Corong-Corong, El Nido Palawan and Ten Knots Philippines, Incorporated in Manlag, El Nido, Palawan with P 1.22M and P 1.10M respectively.

The recognition of the Top Real Property Taxpayers was based on Provincial Resolution No. 8855-2011 of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan authored by Provincial Board Member Ernesto Llacuna and approved on February 15, 2011.

The resolution aims to give appreciation and recognition to those individuals and corporations for their support and commitment to the local government units by paying the correct taxes on time. 

Bataraza, Palawan – RTN Foundation Inc. (RTNFI) Hospital, in partnership with Red Cross Puerto Princesa, conducted a one day bloodletting activity on February 23, 2012 in Brgy. Rio Tuba of this town.

The activity generated 36,000cc of blood from 80 donors from the employees of Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corporation (RTNMC) and Coral Bay Nickel Corporation (CBNC) and residents in the area. The collected blood will be sent to Southern Palawan Provincial Hospital in Brooke’s Point.

Prior to this, RTNFI Hospital conducted a similar endeavor on September 17, 2011 which generated 29,700cc from 66 donors.

Corporate social responsibilities of RTNMC and CBNC can help save lives!

 By Joel V. Balquiedra, Engr III, MESD-MGB-IV-B (MIMAROPA) 

Narra, Palawan – Citinickel Mines and Development Corporation (CMDC) thru its CEO, Ms. Caroline Tanchay, had donated a computer center building with 15 units of desktop computers to San Isidro Elementary School of this town.

The turn over ceremony was held on February 2, 2012 and was witnessed by the Multi-Partite 

Monitoring Team (MMT) for CMDC led by Engr. Arnilo C. Milaor of MGB-IV-B. This project was worth more than Two Million Pesos and part of CMDC’ corporate social responsibilities as stated in their approved Social Development and Management Program (SDMP).

 The Mines and Geosciences Bureau IV-B (MIMAROPA) is pleased to present its Year End Accomplishment Report for CY 2011. This report shows the blueprint of the Region on how the management triumphs in fulfilling its targets towards a revitalize responsible mining.

As the primary agency directly in charge in the administration and disposition of the country's mineral lands and mineral resources and the one responsible for geoscientific surveys and researches in the fields of land and marine geology, mining, mine environment, metallurgy, mineral economics, and mine geodetic surveys, MGB IV-B has implemented programs and activities anchored on the Secretary's strategies and targets towards responsible mining.
 
This annual publication illustrate the collective effort of technical and support services in accomplishing the goals set on the first day of the calendar year notwithstanding the constraints on budgetary and manpower capabilities. As such, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to my colleagues and MGB IV-B (MIMAROPA) family in fulfilling their promise of accomplishing another milestone of delivering satisfactory services to the people.
 
Once again, I call everyone’s unwavering cooperation and support to join me in facing the challenges ahead.