On February 10, 2020, the Lands Geological Survey Division (LGSD) of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Central Office (MGB-CO) held its Annual Geoscience Workshop at Brentwood Hotel, Quezon City. One hundred thirty (130) participants, consisting of geologists and geographic information specialists from MGB-CO and Regional Offices (ROs), attended the said workshop including three guest speakers who hailed from the academe and private sector. This annual congregation of geologists from MGB is the platform to discuss and standardize the updated methodologies yielded from the current projects of LGSD, namely: 1) National Groundwater Resource and Vulnerability Assessment Program, 2) National Geohazard Assessment and Mapping Program, 3) National Geologic Quadrangle Mapping Program and 4) National Mineral Reservation Program.
In an effort to enhance knowledge sharing upon the participants, a technical session was added for this years’ workshop. Seven technical papers were presented by geologists from MGB-CO and RO. Of the seven presentations, two of which were completed abroad as per requirement of their respective masteral degrees. After the presentations, LGSD & the Geology Divisions of MGB ROs were tasked to make project proposals.
On the latter part of the workshop, parallel sessions were conducted for the four programs of LGSD. Three guest speakers were invited to share knowledge in their field of expertise. Dr. Mario Aurelio, Director of the National Institute of Geological Sciences, University of the Philippines (NIGS, UP) and Mr. Claro Jose Manipon, a consulting geologist , gave insights on the geological field mapping methodology. Dr. Leo T. Armada, a professor from NIGS, UP, discussed geophysics and its application to groundwater resource estimation and vulnerability risk assessment. Discussions and lectures during these sessions resulted in the formulation of new method guidelines, review of existing data (e.g. geologic maps) and agreements on several issues and concerns.
By: Lands Geological Survey Division
Figure 1 Participants of the workshop during a hands-on GIS session
Figure 2 Participants of the Mineral Reservation Program Parallel Session during the hands-on portable XRF training
Figure 3 Group photo of the workshop attendees with the MGB Director Atty. WIlfredo G. Moncano