The Mining Month celebration for CY 2020 was spearheaded by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII (MGB RO-XIII) last November 26, 2020 at MGB RO No. XIII’s Training Center, Surigao City. It was welcomed with the theme “Mina, Sandigan ng Ekonomiya sa Panahon ng Pandemya.”

The said event pursued to show the resilience and socioeconomic contributions of the minerals industry during the most challenging times, as well as maintain the traditional Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference in Baguio City, which was unfortunately not held this year due to the current pandemic. Furthermore, MGB RO-XIII also honors the 122^nd Founding Anniversary of MGB in advance, as the celebration is held on November 29, 2020.

The celebration began with the Blessing of the Caraga Mining and Geosciences Library, which was from the collaborative effort of the mining companies from their 2020 Annual Social Development and Management Program under the Development of Mining Technology and Geosciences component. It was then followed by two competitions: 1) the Photography Competition, which encourages individuals to develop visual appreciation while advocating sustainable mining and authentic social developments; and 2) the Terrarium Gardening Competition which explores the potentials of emerging gardeners as they campaign for environmental preservation and appreciate how ecosystems work.

The winners of the respective two competitions are as follows:

The 2020 Mining Month Culmination Program was held via Zoom Platform in the afternoon.  Mr. Romeo M. Dalodado, Chief Geologist of MGB RO No. XIII, gave the Welcome Remarks.  Opening remarks and key messages were delivered by Usec. Jim O. Sampulna, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Undersecretary for Enforcement, Mining, and Muslim Affairs; DENR Caraga Regional Executive Director Hadja Didaw D. Piang-Brahim; Atty. Wilfredo G. Moncano, MGB Director; Engr. Glenn Marcelo C. Noble, MGB RO No. XIII Director; Atty. Premolito B. Plaza, Officer-In-Charge of Provincial Environment Management Office of Surigao del Norte; and Engr. Corsino L. Odtojan, President of Chamber of Mines of Caraga Region, Inc.  To formally end the program, Engr. Artemio E. Valeroso, President of Philippine Society of Mining Engineers-Caraga Chapter, gave the closing remarks.

The entries for the Photography Competition and Terrarium Gardening Competition

 are put on display for judging.

The afternoon session for the 2020 Mining Month Culmination Program held via Zoom.

By: Mineral Economics, Information and Publication Division