The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) conducted its first-quarter Management Conference (ManCon) last April 4-7, 2022, in Davao City. MGB Regional Office (RO) No. XI hosted the event, the first in-person ManCon after two years since the presence of CoVID-19 pandemic.

MGB Regional Directors and Division Chiefs from MGB Central Office, headed by Director Atty. Wilfredo G. Moncano, attended the conference. Officials from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) also graced the event — Atty. Juan Miguel T. Cuna, Undersecretary for Field Operations - Luzon, Visayas and Environment; Engr. Nonita S. Caguioa, Assistant Secretary for Finance, Information Systems and Mining Concerns; and Ruth M. Tawantawan, Assistant Secretary for Field Operations - Eastern Mindanao.

For the opening program, Atty. Jasper Alberto H. Lascano, Regional Director of MGB RO No. XI, welcomed all the participants and is pleased to conduct a face-to-face ManCon again. He mentioned that this conference also serves as a venue to highlight the best practices in the region and continue the bureau's commitment to implement its mandate and uphold the advocacy of responsible mining. MGB Director Wilfredo G. Moncano and DENR Asec. Nonita S. Caguioa also delivered their opening message. Meanwhile, DENR Secretary Jim O. Sampulna extended his message virtually. 

For the first two days, presentation and discussion of various topics includes pump priming the economy along with updates on policies and developments within the bureau. Participants made a site visit to Riverbend Consolidated Mining Corporation on the third day. Concerns and issues raised by ROs were also discussed on the last day of the conference.

To conclude the conference, Engr. Juancho S. Pablo, OIC Assistant Director and concurrent Chief of the Metallurgical Technology Division, MGB-CO, delivered the encouraging Closing Remarks with the participants.

By: Mineral Economics, Information, and Publication Division