The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), after undergoing the Comprehensive Human Resource Management Assistance Review and Monitoring, conducted the annual Administrative Workshop and Systems Review last March 20-24, 2023. This year, the hybrid workshop has been more intensive as MGB incorporated the findings and recommendation during the Civil Service Commission Program to Institutionalize Meritocracy and Excellence in Human Resource Management (PRIME-HRM) validation. Expectations on the activities of MGB’s Administrative Division (AD) are in a higher disposition now that PRIME-HRM Level 2 was attained— the high quality of the standard expected applies to not only the Human Resource Management but the entirety of the AD from the Central Office to the Regional Offices (ROs).

The five-day workshop was held at the Fort Ilocandia Hotel Resort. The matters discussed in the event are highly technical and highly internal, hence no external resource speaker was invited. The Section Chiefs and Human Resource (HR) Officers of MGB AD were deemed most appropriate to be the subject experts during the event. The five-day activity started with an opening ceremony which includes Invocation, singing of the Philippine National Anthem and a welcome remarks from the MGB Regional Office No. 1 Regional Director (RD) Socrates G. Gaerlan.  In his message, he welcomes the participants who came from various Regional Offices (ROs) of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. He also hoped that the activity will be a success and the stay of the participants during the event will be comfortable. After the welcome remarks of RD Gaerlan, the objectives were discussed by Ms. Leilani M.  Saunders, who served as the emcee of the event.  She  presented  the  general  and  specific  objectives  of  the  workshop  and reminded the participants of what must be accomplished during the conduct of the activity. Aside from that, the basic house rules, groupings and other arrangements were also tackled.

After  the  program  preliminaries,  the  Section  Chiefs  of  the  MGB  AD discussed  certain  topics  relative  to  their  section  and  RO  counterparts,  as follows:  A) Presentation of Online Payment with Landbank by Ms. Doribecca T. Flores, Cashier Section Chief;  B) Presentation of FOI Program by Ms. Fe Jocelyn Francisco OIC, Records Management Officer;  C) Presentation of latest COA Circular by Mr. Hanz C. Bernardo, Property Management Section Chief;  and  D) Presentation of Public Service Continuity Plan Presentation of Basic Occupational Safety and Health by Mr. Patrick Andrew S. Ramos OIC, General Services Section.

Before the day ended, Ms. Saunders presented the Workshop groupings, assigned group for the day and assigned tasks. On the second day, the assigned group did a synthesis of the first day’s activity where they had a refresher on the important points discussed.  They were also assigned as documenter of the day. Since Mr. Ramos was not able to finish his entire lecture on the first day, he was given time to continue with the Presentation of Basic Occupational Safety and Health. After his discussion, Ms. Edna R. Lorilla, MGB – AD Chief, presented and discussed the PRIME HRM status of MGB, result of the PRIME HRM Assessment, as well as the strengths, points for improvement, and best practices that were identified during the PRIME HRM assessment. This was presented in order for the workshop groups to be guided on where to focus on during the breakout sessions. Discussed as well during the 2nd day were the various updates on per HR System (Recruitment, Selection, and Placement; Learning and Development; Performance Management; and Rewards and Recognition). During this portion, the Central Office HR officers presented the existing guidelines, policies, procedures that are present for each HR system. After all the discussions were done, the participants were now sent to their breakout groups.

While the breakout group sessions were ongoing, the Property Management Section, Cashier Section, Records Management Section and General Services Section were able to meet their RO counterparts virtually and discuss amongst themselves relevant processes, issues and concerns on their end. The workshop continues on the third day where they were given time to polish their output for presentation and critiquing for the 4th day. During the last two days of the event, each HR system groups presented their output for discussion, critiquing and agreement of the body.

Participants of the event gather around for a group photo.

By: Mineral Economics, Information, and Publication Division