The Mines and Geosciences Bureau is authorizing the re-alignment of unutilized funds of Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) in accordance with the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Memorandum dated March 27, 2020.
To briefly explain, SDMP includes programs for Development of Host and Neighboring Communities; Information, Education and Communication; and Development of Mining Technology and Geosciences, with the unutilized SDMP funds pertaining to the 2019 total unspent budget which was carried over to 2020 Annual SDMP (ASDMP) budget.
For transparency as well as an efficient and timely response to the needs of the communities, all MGB Regional Offices (ROs) are given authority and responsibility to approve re-alignments of SDMP fund to programs/projects/activities (PPAs) deemed necessary to combat COVID-19. Several MGB-ROs, as well as multiple mining companies have exhibited selflessness and generosity by donating domestic and health supplies as well as raising funds to give to the affected communities and frontliners in support to Republic Act No. 11469, otherwise known as the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act”.
We applaud the following MGB-ROs not only for showing excellent compliance, but going above and beyond as Filipino citizens showing compassion for those in need:
MGB CAR – Frontliners in Baguio and La Trinidad received 350 food packs prepared by the Health 101 Community Kitchen last April 27, 2020. This is the continuation of Mines and Geosciences Bureau Employees’ Association’s initiative to honor the sacrifices made by our frontliners amidst the pandemic.
MGB RO I – The RO initiated a donation drive last April 14, 2020 to raise funds to provide PPEs for health workers, successfully raising PHP122,000. The PPEs will be distributed to identified hospitals in La Union.
MGB RO II – FCF Minerals Corporation Gold- Molybdenum Project in Runruno, Nueva Vizcaya initiated coordination with provincial, municipal, and barangay local government units in Nueva Vizcaya to donate 2500 masks and 25 gallons of alcohol to the province of Nueva Vizcaya while Quezon Municipality Health Office received 20 pieces Tyvek suits and goggles. The company also distributed 50 sacks of rice to the local government of Quezon.
MGB RO III – With the assistance of multiple mining companies, the RO was able to contribute relief amounting to PHP 6,031,074.00 via food packs, medicines/vitamins, personal protective equipments (PPEs), shuttle services and thermal scanners. The RO was also able to raise up to Amounting a total of forty-five thousand pesos (Php 45, 000.00), fifty-three (53) PPEs were purchased and were given to Jose B. Lingad Memorial Hospital and Diosdado Macapagal Memorial Hospital received by Dr. Leslie T. Garcia and Ms. Bernadette Desonia, respectively.
MGB RO IV-A (CALABARZON) - The fourth week of activities observed a grand total of 3,528 households, 132 sitios and utilization of 100% of the funds (PHP 381,294.70).
MGB RO IV-B (MIMAROPA) – For the fourth week of implementation, a total of 99,929 households, 1,400 employees and 753 frontliners in Palawan received PHP 45,183,100.42 worth of relief packs and other supplies from the province’s local mining companies.
MGB RO V – Bicol mining companies extend assistance to their host and neighboring communities as well as to their non-impact communities, with the total assistance provided amounting to millions of pesos.
MGB RO VI – In the reports submitted by permit holders to the RO as of April 28, 2020, the aggregate industry donated total of PHP 2,306,821.00 in the form of food packs and cash assistance benefitting some 7,000 households in the provinces of Iloilo and Negros Occidental. Another 800 persons such as workers in the frontlines, senior citizens and persons with disabilities were also recipients of such assistance. The total fund pledged or allocated for this program is PHP 3,869,707.35.
MGB RO VII – Realigned SDMP funds from various mining companies in the region reached more than PHP21m.
MGB RO VIII – The RO provided food packs to 250 pedicab and motorcycle drivers and other frontliners performing essential tasks in the different barangays within the municipality of Palo, Leyte on April 24, 2020.
MGB RO IX – PHP 23,000.00 was spent to purchase food items, which were in turn distributed to barangay health workers and tanods in barangays Pasonanca and Sta. Maria, as well as the members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) manning the checkpoints in the barangays of Canelar, Nuñez, Veterans Avenue, Tetuan, San Roque, and Cabatangan
MGB RO X – For the week of April 2-8, 2020, the mining companies were able to reach out to 1,366 households and 6 checkpoints with the total utilization amounting to PHP 391,986.70 in the form of food packs and essential goods.
MGB RO XI – Apex Mining Co., Inc., Austral-Asia Mining Corp., Kingking Mining Corporation, and Napnapan Mineral Resources, Inc. were able to come together and utilize a total of 83.51% of the re-aligned SDMP funds (PHP 2,368,307.00) to host and neighboring barangays.
MGB RO XII – OIC-Regional Director Felizardo A. Gacad, Jr., encouraged MGB XII officials and employees to voluntarily raise funds to assist frontliners, while Supervising Geologist Ariel A. Acosta represented the RO in the monetary contribution turnover to the Provincial Planning and Development Office to produce 150 face shields for frontliners. A total of 195 meal packs were distributed in 27 barangays of Koronadal City by “Bulig Kontra COVID-19 Koronadal”, a non-government organization. Mining companies in the region, in coordination with the RO, extended assistance to communities affected by the current pandemic by re-aligning their SDMP to COVID-19 interventions.
MGB RO XIII – The regional office worked together with the Caraga mining companies, with approximately 22,330 mining and non-mining community residents including front liners and 42,689 households benefitting from their efforts. From the period of April 1-8, 2020, a total of PHP 16,261,360.10 was utilized by the mining companies in the region.
As of April 29, 2020, a total 78% of the overall budget has been utilized, amounting to PHP 203,166,706.42. This has benefitted 43,403 frontliners, 578,449 households and 203 persons under monitoring.
All MGB officials and employees concerned are enjoined to lend a helping hand to ensure the well-being of those greatly affected in this time of emergency.
By: Mineral Economics, Information and Publication Division