The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), represented by its Mining Tenements Management Division (MTMD), provided valuable inputs to the recently concluded Philippine Wealth Accounting and Validation of Ecosystem Services (Phil-WAVES) Project validation workshop conducted by the Philippine Statistical Authority (PSA).

The PSA conducted the said workshop to clarify and resolve issues on data sources and gaps, terms and definitions used, MGB data processing system, and the established localized classification system for mineral accounting based on the United Nations Framework Classification for Fossil Energy and Mineral Reserves and Resources UNFC-2009.

Engineers Rolando M. Fernandez and Edgar C. Madera represented the MGB providing inputs on Mining Tenements Permit/Contract instruments (types, nature, requirements, and life cycles) leading to the identification of the Declaration of Mining Project Feasibility (DMPF) as a fundamental criteria in the soon to be established localized classification system for mineral accounting.

In conclusion, PSA assessed that a lot of work still needs to be done including the validation of data encoded in the various MGB reports and forms; and the institutionalization within MGB of data collection and provision for the mineral accounts.

Further, PSA will be undertaking more visits to the MGB after the workshop for further validation of documents. The visits shall be scheduled on regular basis.

The workshop was held from February 16 to 17, 2015 at the Richmonde Hotel in Ortigas, Mandaluyong.

By: Mining Tenements Management Division