The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) recognized the best technical papers written by its personnel during the Annual Technical Forum held recently. The theme of the Forum was "Issues and Challenges toward Innovations in Geosciences and the Mineral Industry."
The Forum is an annual conference among engineers and scientists of the MGB nationwide featuring research papers, field investigation results and thesis reports of Graduate School scholars. These comprise the entries for the competition categorized into: 1) Best Technical Paper, 2) Best Policy Paper, 3) Best Presenter; and 4) Best Poster. This year, a new category was added - the Best Design of the Annual Technical Forum Emblem.
Twenty-three technical and policy papers, and 13 posters joined the competition.
The following were the winners:
- Best Technical Paper - "Recovery of Nickel from Low Grade Philippine Laterite Ores by Agitated Atmospheric Leaching" by Rey V. Perucho and Chris G. Arnejo of the Metallurgical Technology Division, MGB Central Office;
- Best Policy Paper - "Scorecard for SHES Performance" by Rhoda M. Noble of the Mine Safety, Environment and Social Development Division, MGB Central Office;
- Best Presenter - Ross Dominic D. Agot of the Lands Geological Survey Division, MGB Central Office for his presentation entitled "Karst Depression Detection using IFSAR-derived DEM : A Tool for Karst Subsidence Hazard Assessment; and
- Best Poster - "Training on the Operation and Data Analysis of PulseEKKO" by Leilanie O. Suerte, Benigno Cesar Espejo, Josephine Aleta, and Beverly Mae Brebante of MGB Regional Office Nos. VI, CAR, VII and XI, respectively.
- Best Design of the Annual Technical Forum Emblem - Maria Ina Katrina D. Bondal of the Lands Geological Survey Division, MGB Central Office.
The Board of Judges consisted of Ms. Nelia C. Halcon, Executive Vice-President of the Philippine Chamber of Mines; Dr. Karlo L. Queano, Associate Professor at the Mapua Institute of Technology; and Ms. Gladiola M. Bagadiong, retired Chemical Research Section Chief, MGB Metallurgical Technology Division.
Former Department of Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary Jeremias L. Dolino was the Guest Speaker.
The Lands Geological Survey Division spearheaded the affair as Chair of the Organizing Committee. It also introduced an innovation where the succeeding Annual Technical Forums will be hosted by the MGB Regional Offices (RO) on a rotation basis. For 2016, the host will be MGB RO III.
The Annual Technical Forum evolved from the traditional Divisional Luncheon of the then Geological Survey Division. It was made bureau-wide and nationwide in February 1990 during the term of the former MGB Director Guillermo R. Balce.
Since then, the Forum was continuously held except in 1996, 2002 and from 2004 to 2009. But when Director Leo L. Jasareno assumed his position as MGB Director in 2010, the Forum was held annually without fail.
The 2015 Forum was the 18th among a series of annual conferences. It was held from November 12-14, 2015 in One Tagaytay Place, Tagaytay City.
By: Lands Geological Survey Division