The Geological Laboratory Service Section (GLSS) under the Lands Geological Survey Division (LGSD) of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) conducted the “In-depth Training on Petrography and Paleontology of Regional Office Personnel” last May 2 to 30, 2024 at the Petrolab Building, MGB Compound, Quezon City.

   This training series was initiated to realize the vision of equipping the MGB Regional Offices (ROs) with the expertise to conduct basic geological laboratory analyses,

   Petrography elevates the analysis of minerals and rocks beyond the capabilities of mere megascopic observations. It is an indispensable tool in conducting various geological activities, especially geological mapping and mineral exploration. Paleontology, on the other hand, is vital in reconstructing paleoenvironmental and paleoclimatological conditions, which are essential in studying and establishing the geologic history of the Philippines.

   This month-long training was the first of a series of capacity-building activities on petrography and paleontology which will be provided by the LGSD-GLSS for all MGB ROs in the next few years. The first batch was participated by Mr. Michael Andre Araojo, Geologist II of MGB RO No. I, and Mr. Mizraim Melchor Jr., Geologist II of MGB RO No. XI, participated in the training on petrography, while Ms. Marie Rose Aguda-Tumulak, Supervising Geologist of MGB RO No. I, and Mr. Allen Mark Abanilla, Senior Geologist of MGB RO No. XI attended the training on paleontology.

   Technical personnel from the Petrography and Mineragraphy Unit and the Paleontology Unit of LGSD-GLSS provided modules, lecture presentations, and hands-on exercises as part of the program. The latter portion of the program was allotted for question-and-answer sessions and interactive discussions. Additionally, the organizers gave a short tour of the different laboratories of the LGSD-GLSS and live demonstrations of certain sample preparation procedures and chemical analyses.

   Overall, the training was beneficial for augmenting the technical capacity of MGB RO geologists, enhancing the geological laboratory services of MGB RO Geosciences Divisions, and fostering contributions to MGB programs on geological investigations, mapping, and mineral exploration. The MGB’s commitment to ensuring sustained delivery of quality geological services to public and private stakeholders was upheld through investments in this training initiative.

By: Geological Laboratory Services Section, Lands Geological Survey Division

Geologists from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No.I and No. XI with Dr. KarloQueaño (Chief, Lands Geological Survey Division), Ms. Jocelyn Villanueva (Chief, Geological Laboratory Services Section and concurrent Chief, Petrography and Mineragraphy Unit), Dr. Maybellyn Zepeda (Chief, General Geology Section and concurrent Chief, Paleontology Unit), and the training facilitators during the awarding of Certificates of Participation.

Michael Andre Araojo of MGB RO I and MizraimMelchor Jr. of MGB RO XI during the hands-on exercise on identification of minerals and rocks for petrographic analysis.

Marie Rose Aguda-Tumulak of MGB RO I and Allen Mark Abanilla of MGB RO XI during the hands-on exercise on picking and identifying small foraminifera for paleontological analysis.

Demonstration of thin section preparation by personnel from the Sample Preparation Unit of LGSD-GLSS

Demonstration of chemical stain test by personnel from the Petrochemistry Unit of LGSD-GLSS

Demonstration of ICP-OES analysis by personnel from LGSD