The National Unified Information, Education and Communication Plan (NUIECP) National Steering Committee, in collaboration with the Mineral Economics, Information and Publication Division (MEIPD) of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Central Office conducted its second installment of the Public Relations (PR) and Crisis Management Training last 28 February to 03 March 2023 at Princesa Garden Island Resort, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
The crisis workshop, which is a continuation of the first installment last 19-20 December 2022, served as the avenue for the participants to practice various PR skills, with special focus on their use during crisis situations, such as but not limited to—practice writing press materials such as holding statements, press releases, social media posts, etc.; and improve public speaking capability giving importance in practicing conversations that deal with crisis situations like death, disasters and the like.
The training program was participated by the information officers and community relation officers from all MGB Regional Offices and various mining companies nationwide via face-to-face and virtual mode.
Among the key officials present during the workshop were Atty. Ronald C. Recidoro, Chair of the NUIECP-NSC, Ms. Angelita I. Lee, Co-Chair of the NUIECP-NSC, Ms. Liz Cherry D. Solijon, OIC-Chief of the MGB-MEIPD and Engr. Marcial H. Mateo, Chief of the MGB-MSESDD. The event was hosted by Ms. Venus Amor Sarmiento, Development Management Officer III of MEIPD-MGB.
Ms. Maria Teresa L. Pacis, Assistant Vice President for Corporate Affairs, Apex Mining Co. Inc., was the key speaker all throughout the event. The activity was conducted in a bootcamp style where 60% of the time will be dedicated to practice sessions and discussions and 40% will be on lectures and presentations.
The first day of the program focuses on the discussion of crisis management, as a sequel to the first workshop, where definitions and concepts were refreshed to the participants. Crisis scenarios were also tackled giving examples to natural disasters, security, human resource and safety, mining, environment, legal, marketing, governance, and community relation, among others.
One of the discussion highlights of the second day are the following—crisis management team composition, including the roles/tasks of each personnel; the audience universe giving example to target audiences affected after a crisis; and the type of messaging when conveying the right words to the right audience.
A visit to the Palawan Quicksilver Mines, Inc. (PQMI) in Barangay Sta. Lourdes, Puerto Princesa City was undertaken to immerse the participants and have an appreciation of what an abandoned mine turned out to be a rehabilitated area.
The last day of the training program is dedicated to workshop activity where participants practiced creating crisis-specific messages and crisis-specific channels based on the mine-visit conducted, as well as applying the rudiments of crisis communication skills such as stakeholder mapping, messaging, media relations that were discussed in the December 2022 training.
At the end of the workshop, it is emphasized that the “industry is so complex and subject to several legal, normative, social and reputational progressive constraints.” Succeeding in managing crisis communication in the mining sector requires a preparedness that is far meticulous than for other sectors.”
The PR and Crisis Management Training is part of the initiative of the NUIECP which is a unified IEC campaign plan focusing on responsible mining practices of the mining industry with the tagline #MineResponsibility. The plan initiates for the collaboration of IEC plans of the minerals industry as embedded in the Social Development Management Program (SDMP) mandated of mining permit holders and contractors.
A group photo with all the participants of the event.
By: Mineral Economics, Information, and Publication Division