The Geohazards and Engineering Geology Section (GhEGS) of the Lands Geological Survey Division (LGSD) is an essential arm of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in  providing support to its Regional Offices (ROs) in the conduct of geohazard, risk assessment, and engineering geological studies. It also supervises the GhEGS of the Geosciences Division of all MGB ROs  that undertake, implement, and review projects under the Engineering Geological and Geohazard Assessment (EGGA) activity of Geohazard Services of GhEGS. As such, GHEGS organized the virtual training workshop on EGGA last March 14 to 16, 2023 via the Microsoft Teams Platform to further capacitate the ROs in the conduct of EGGAR/GAR reviews.

The training workshop was attended by technical personnel from the MGB Central and Regional Offices, and from the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB). This undertaking is intended for the newly hired and young geologists of the ROs involved in the conduct of EGGA-related activities such as the Geological Site Scoping Report (GSSR)/Geohazard Identification Report (GIR), Geological Verification Report (GVR) and the review of Engineering Geological and Geohazard Assessment Report (EGGAR) in relation to the recent guidelines of EMB for EGGAR. These documents are important, particularly the EGGAR, which is required by EMB as an additional requirement for the issuance of Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) as provided for under Presidential Decree No. 1586, Presidential Proclamation No. 2146 and its implementing rules and regulations, requiring all proponents of subdivision development projects, housing projects, private or public, to undertake an EGGA.

Resource speakers from the EMB, MGB ROs, and the Marine Geological Survey Division (MGSD) imparted their knowledge on the different policies, procedures, and methodologies of EGGA. Engr. Jose Paolo Aragoncillo of EMB discussed the latest policies of EMB in relation to EGGAR/GAR, particularly the newest Memorandum Circulars. Dr. Karlo L. Queano of MGSD presented how the MGB Geologist should conduct an EGGA and the subsequent report preparation if there is a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or requests from the Local Government Units (LGUs). Ms. Danica B. Guinto of MGB RO No. IVA imparted the procedure for compliance with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Administrative Order No. 2000-28, the conduct of GSS/GIS, and preparation of GSSR/GIR, GVR, and when to prepare these reports. Ms. Guinto along with Ms. Beverly Mae Brebante of MGB RO No. XI also demonstrated the process of the conduct of EGGAR/GAR reviews of their respective regions.        

By: The Lands Geological Survey Division

Photo No. 1: Ms. Liza Socorro J. Manzano, Chief, LGSD and Mr. Alvin Lucio M. Fernando discussing the
latest policies and guidelines with Engr. Jose Paolo Aragoncillo from the Environmental Management Bureau.

Photo No. 2: Dr. Karlo L. Queano (Center) presents on the conduct of EGGA and EGGAR preparation with GHEGS personnel.

Photo No. 3: Participants from MGB Central and Regional Offices capping off the virtual training workshop.