Cognizant of the need to consolidate and unite its officers and members, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Employees Association (MGBEA) held its 15th Annual National Convention and 6th National Congress on March 14 to17, 2017 in Pasay City.

The said activity aimed to discuss and assess MGBEA’s 2016 year-end accomplishments and streamline its National and Chapters’ 2018 Work and Financial Plan in relation to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau’s (MGB) activities. Organizational concerns were also discussed such as finalization of amendments to the MGBEA Constitution and other union-related matters.

This year’s Convention coincides with the 6th National Congress being held every two years to elect a new set of National Officers for 2017-2019 pursuant to Article IX Section 2 of the MGBEA Constitution.

Participants of the said events include officers and/or representatives of MGBEA National and its Chapters (Central and Regional Offices), and voting delegates from the different Chapters.

The voting delegates elected the members of the National Council (NC), which is composed of 15 officers. The NC then elected among themselves the MGBEA National Executive Council with the following results:

President                                     -     Dr. Maybellyn A. Zepeda (Central Office)
Vice President (Internal)              -     Mr. Ernani P. Bernal (Central Office)
Vice President for Luzon              -     Engr. Roel A. Collado (Region I)
Vice-President for Visayas            -    Engr. Dante A. Operario (Regio VIII)
Vice President for Mindanao         -    Atty. Ninfa Rosario Dumagan III (Region IX)
Secretary General                       -     Ms. Gina Flor F. Resubal (Central Office)
Deputy Secretary General           -     Engr. Danilo A. Fernandez (Region III)
Public Relations Officer                -     Mr. Joseph P. Rivera (Central Office)
Asst. Public Relations Officer       -     Engr. Lucius C. Sucgang (Region VI)
National Council Officers             -     Mr. Jose P. Arzadon Jr. (Central Office)
                                                         Ms. Maria Rosario Florence C. Bello (Region I)
                                                         Mr. Edwin Jesus O. Buendia Jr. (Region II) Ms. Mary Jossel H. Dispo (Region X)
                                                         Ms. Ruth C. Paña (Region IX)
                                                         Mr. Ariel S. Villanueva (Central Office)

Appointed Auditor and Assistant Auditor were Mary Jossel H. Dispo (Region X) and Ruth C. Paña (Region IX), respectively.

Atty. Danilo U. Uykieng, MGB Acting Assistant Director, graced the event, administered the Oath of Office to the newly elected officers and delivered the inspirational message on behalf of the Undersecretary and Concurrent MGB Director Mario Luis J. Jacinto.

Being a former MGBEA officer himself, Atty. Uykieng reminded the union leaders of the qualities they should possess as well as the immense responsibilities they are faced with. He recognized the importance of having an employee’s union in advancing the promotion and development of the welfare of the employees but reiterated that it should always be based on the tenets of existing laws, rules and regulations to avoid any misrepresentation or conflict.

The MGBEA is confident that the outputs generated from the activity will redound to the further strengthening of its partnership with the MGB management in the attainment of MGB’s mission, vision and mandates.

Atty. Danilo U. Uykieng, MGB Acting Assistant Director administering the oath of office to the newly elected MGBEA Natonal Council officers for 2017-2019.

By: MGBEA