Geologists from the Lands Geological Survey Division (LGSD) of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Central Office (MGB CO), together with the Geosciences Division of all the Regional Offices (ROs), recently attended the Annual Geoscience Workshop, hosted by MGB RO No. V, held at Patio de San Jose Resort and Convention Center, Malilipot, Albay from February 1 to 7, 2018.

 The Workshop was aimed at discussing the accomplishments of MGB’s major Geoscience Programs, Projects, and Activities (PPAs), namely: (1) Quadrangle Geological Mapping (QGM); (2) Updating of 1:10,000 Scale Geohazard Maps; (3) Vulnerability Risk Assessment (VRA); (4) Groundwater Resource and Vulnerability Assessment (GRVA); (5) Mineral Reservation Program (MRP); and (6) Subsidence Hazard Assessment.

To formally start the event, Engr. Guillermo A. Molina Jr. IV, MGB V Regional Director gave his insightful remarks. He warmly welcomed the participants and emphasized that the Workshop was intended to share and improve ideas as well as to shed light on relevant issues and concerns that are in need of discussion.

Ms. Arlene E. Dayao, Chief Geologist of RO No. V, and Mr. Fidel R. Zepeda, Senior Geologist of RO CALABARZON presented the status of Quadrangle Geological Mapping Projects conducted in Regions V and CALABARZON, respectively, for CY 2017. They discussed the status and accomplishment of QGM projects in their respective regions. The merging, union, and reconciliation of the 2017 outputs of the different ROs were also carried out. The geologists involved in the Project convened, discussed, and resolved conflicts on lithologic and/or formational boundaries using their respective 1:50,000 scale preliminary geologic maps. Mr. Antonio N. Apostol, Jr., Supervising Science Research Specialist of the LGSD, emphasized that, if possible, mapping of potential mineral resources like recognition of alteration zones and mineralized areas should also be conducted in response to the future plans to identify Mineral Lands.

For the map generation workshop session, Ms. Carleen Joy T. Gatdula, Senior Science Research Specialist of the MGB CO, presented the different geodatabase that the Lands Geological Information Management Section (LGIMS) has been working on such as the updated/revised geohazard maps, exposure maps, subsidence hazard maps, quadrangle geologic maps, and hydrogeologic maps.

The ROs presented their accomplishments on VRA and Updating of 1:10,000 Scale Geohazard Maps. Various concerns raised regarding the PPAs were addressed accordingly. Moreover, the Geohazards and Engineering Geology Section (GhEGS) of the LGSD also established a training design for the Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) Campaign for VRA. This will be used to streamline and standardize the methodologies on the “Training-workshop on Understanding Risk Exposure Maps” that aims to present and discuss risk exposure maps to the participants from the Local Government Units.

Mr. Erwin Don R. Racasa, Science Research Specialist II of the MGB CO, discussed laboratory matters such as permit to operate a laboratory and complying with the Chemistry Profession Act of 2015 (RA 10657). Then, the Hydrogeology and Enviromental Geology Section (HEGS) facilitated the 2017 GRVA Project accomplishment presentations by the ROs. Future plans and strategies were also discussed. Likewise, the Economic Geology Section (EGS), headed by Mr. Raymundo I. Villones, Jr., lectures on the 2017 status regarding activities in existing mineral reservations, and updating of ROs MRP Work and Financial Plan for 2018. Lastly, the Chief of the LGSD, Ms. Lilian A. Rollan, also briefed the participants on the instructions given to the MGB during the previous DENR Executive Committee meeting regarding the declaration of Mineral Lands.

In behalf of the Assistant Director, Engr. Juancho Pablo S. Calvez, Chief of the Metallurgical Technology Division, formally closed the program with a brief message. He emphasized the need for workshops and trainings like this for the promotion and enhancement of skills and technical know-how for their Continuing Professional Development.

The host for the next Geoscience Workshop will be the MGB Regional Office No. III.

By: Lands Geological Survey Division

 Engr. Guillermo A. Molina Jr. IV, MGB V Regional Director, welcomed the participants in the 2018 Geoscience Workshop held at Patio de San Jose, Malilipot, Albay

 Ms. Arlene E. Dayao, MGB V Chief Geologist, discussed the QGM Project Fund Utilization of the region in 2017

 Mr. Fidel R. Zepeda, Senior Geologist of MGB CALABARZON, discussed the QGMP of their region for the year 2017

 Dr. Maybellyn A. Zepeda, Chief of the General Geology Section of the LGSD, addresses several issues and concerns raised by the ROs

 Geologists from CAR, Regions VII, IX, and XI who worked in Region V last year resolved the lithologic and formational boundary conflicts in their maps for completion of final seamless maps

 Ms. Carleen Joy T. Gatdula, Senior Science Research Specialist of MGB CO, discussed using the geodatabases for the output maps of the PPAs

 Mr. Julius Vincent P. Umali, Geologist II from the GhEGS of LGSD, presented the guidelines and methodologies for the 2018 IEC on Risk Exposure Maps

 Mr. Erwin Don R. Racasa, Science Research Specialist II of the Petrolab, sheds light on the Provisions of the Chemistry Profession Act and its implications in the laboratory operations

 Ms. Vanessa Andrea V. Llagas, Senior Geologist from HEGS of LGSD, presented the accomplishments of the MGB CO in the GRVA Project

 Mr. Raymundo I. Villones, Jr., Chief of the EGS of LGSD, discusses the Mineral Reservation Program of the MGB

 Chief Geologist of the LGSD, Ms. Lilian A. Rollan, relayed the instructions given to MGB during previous DENR Executive Committee Meeting regarding the Mineral Lands and Mineral Reservations

 Ross Dominic D. Agot, Contractual Geologist of the LGIMS, discussed the accomplishments of the MGB CO in the Subsidence Hazard Assessment and in the IEC Campaign on Geohazards last year

  OIC Assistant Director, Engr. Juancho Pablo S. Calvez, formally closed the 2018 Annual Geoscience Workshop with his insightful message

 Group photo taken at Patio de San Jose Resort and Convention Center, Malilipot, Albay