In his speech during the turnover ceremony last August 1, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Undersecretary (Usec) and concurrent Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Director Mario Luis J. Jacinto exhorted employees to be true to their oath of office of serving the people with professionalism and competence, and not corruption.
Jacinto said that working for the government is not something that will make one rich or abundant with material possessions. "In government, service itself is the reward, not material rewards," Jacinto said. "Service is good for the soul, not the pocket," he added.
Jacinto reminded MGB employees of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte's directive that mining in the country should be done in a responsible manner and should be based on existing laws, rules and regulations. He added that mining can only be responsible if the development of the country's mineral resources will be on the basis of technical feasibility, environmental sustainability, social acceptability, and financial viability. The absence of one will not render the project responsible.
He urged employees to cut the red tape and not require documents that are redundant or not essentially needed. He stressed the need to act promptly and address their jobs with full degree of professionalism and competence.
He said there is a need to review the services that the agency is mandated to perform and determine the kind of requirements that are really essential. He said he hopes to see the MGB play its relevant role in the lives of the Filipinos - how to translate the functions of the MGB to make them relevant to the everyday lives of the Filipinos.
"Let us do things right. Let us be true to our oath of office and let us serve the people," Jacinto emphasized.
Jacinto is a licensed Geologist and started with the MGB in August 1977. He was assigned to the Mindanao area where he later served as Senior Geologist, MGB Regional Technical Director (1987-1990), and DENR Regional Executive Director (1990-1992). He resigned from the government service in 1992 to join the private sector in various capacities.
From 2001 to 2010, Jacinto served full-time as City Planning and Development Coordinator in Davao City under then Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
By: Mineral Economics, Information and Publication Division
DENR Usec and concurrent MGB Director Mario Luis J. Jacinto delivering his message during the turnover ceremony at the MGB Central Office compound.
DENR Usec and concurrent MGB Director Mario Luis J. Jacinto waving the MGB emblem after being turned over to him.