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1^st Qtr 2010 Newsletter

DENR launches the 30 day countdown to Earth Day 2010

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Mines and Geosciences Bureau and other line agencies launch on March 23 the official 30-day countdown to Earth Day 2010.

Earth Day is celebrated worldwide annually every 22^nd of April. It is a day designated to bring about awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s environment.   It was founded by United States Senator Gaylord Nelson in 1970 and is celebrated in more than 175 countries every year.  This year, the whole world will be celebrating the 40^th year of the Earth Day Celebration. The theme for this year is Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Measures and the 10 Million Acts of Green.

In the Philippines, March 23 starts the 30-day countdown to Earth day. On March 23,, a Green Presidential Forum was set to be conducted at the Ateneo de Manila University with prominent personalities as guest discussing mainly about the environment, biodiversity loss and climate change and some programs to mitigate climate change.

A series of events was lined up by the DENR to highlight the Earth Day. On March 27, an Earth Hour 2010 was set at 8 to 9pm, this was an event which campaigns for climate change mitigation and was observed globally by switching off of the lights for one hour. In the Philippines, this was done in key cities and was led by the Department of Energy, WWF Philippines or the Kabang Kalikasan ng Pilipinas and the Green Army.  

On April 18, a gathering of men and women of faith called “SANDIWANG” was conducted to pray for the healing of the earth spearheaded by the Earth Day Network  Philippines (EDNP) and the DENR.  On the same day, the country held the 12^th Tour of the Fireflies, an annual 50-kilometer bicycle ride around seven cities of Metro Manila to highlight the campaign for clean air. This was celebrated since 1998,  led this year by The Firefly Brigade.

On April 19 to 23,  seminars and lectures on the latest technology in organic farming were conducted at the Aani Herbal Garden, Quezon Memorial Circle, in Quezon City led by the Agri-Aqua Network International (AANI), Organic Producers and Traders Association (OPTA), Organic Certification Center of the Philippines (OCCP), EDNPI, DENR and the Quezon Circle Development Foundation, Inc.

On April 22, the Earth Day celebration will start with a Pasig River Fluvial Parade at  5 to 9 am to be led by the Sagip Pasig Movement, EDNP and corporate partners.  Other events set for April 22 Earth Day Main Event include among others:   The State of the Philippine Environment Address by the DENR Secretary, Semi Finals of the MusiKalikasan, Presentation of the 10 Million Acts of Green and the Zero Basura Olympics-Business Awarding to be led by the EDNPI,  DENR, SM Group of Companies and Network Members. The venue for the Main Event is the SM Mall of Asia.  

 

MGB urges public to join the Earth Hour

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau and other line agencies urged the public to join the Earth Hour at 8pm to 9pm on March 27 by turning the lights off and other electric appliances for one hour to raise awareness towards the need to take action on climate change.

Ms. Elisea G. Gozun, former DENR Secretary 2002-2004, the President of Earth Day Network.

Climate change has been described as the abrupt change of the earth’s temperature caused by the greenhouse gases which accumulate in the atmosphere and stays there for at least 200 years trapping the heat that we release. According to studies, there are two types of greenhouse gases that are emitted in the atmosphere, one is the carbon dioxide or CO2 and the other is methane which is produced mainly by rotting garbage in dumpsites and is twenty times more lethal than carbon dioxide.

Scientists report that possible effects of increase in global temperature is the rise of sea levels by 6 to 7 meters which in turn would greatly reduce land areas thus affecting half of the Philippines’ 1,610 municipalities that are located along coastline areas with 80% of the population who are dependent on seafood. Studies show that a one meter increase in sea level could negatively affect the living conditions of Filipinos in 64 of the Philippines’ 81 provinces. 

Simple steps have been introduced to mitigate climate change. Some of these include, among others: segregation of biodegradable from non-biodegradable, recycling, waste and water management, establishment of material recovery facility (MRF), use of biodiesel for diesel-fed vehicles, and bioethanol for gasoline-fed vehicles to reduce CO2 emissions, and others.

Earth Hour was first introduced by the World Wildlife Fund or WWF in 2007 in Sydney, Australia and is now adopted by many countries around the world every last Saturday of March.   

 

MGB now accepting small scale mining permit applications for the 600 meters above in Diwalwal

 

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources -Mines and Geosciences Bureau RXI is now accepting applications for small scale mining service contracts for the above 600 ASL within the 729 area in Mt. Diwalwal Mineral Reservation Area.

 

As per Memorandum from the Office of the President dated February 1, 2005, the office of the Natural Resources Development Corporation or NRDC is in charge of the monitoring of the mining operations above the 600 meters elevation, and enforcing regulations and agreements governing said operations.

 

NRDC, however, is currently assessing the project in relation to its financial situation and with due consideration of its physical absence in the area, authority is given to the Regional Executive Director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) RXI to accept and process applications for small scale mining service contracts within the NRDC area in Mt. Diwata, otherwise known as the Diwalwal Gold Rush.

 

The last time the Natural Resources Mining Development Corporation (NRMDC) now PMDC accepted 15 percent government share for its service contracts and other operating agreements  from qualified small scale mining groups and cooperatives was in April 2005. The DENR under Memorandum dated December 2009 now resumes acceptance of applications for small scale mining service contracts and other operating agreements from qualified small scale mining groups/cooperatives and collects corresponding fees in Diwalwal for the operation above the 600 meters elevation.        

 

 

 

 

 

 

1^st stakeholders forum for the drafting of CSR guidebook conducted

A series of stakeholders’ forum for the drafting of guidebook on corporate social responsibility (CSR) as spearheaded by the Chamber of Mines for the mining industry was recently conducted in Marco Polo Davao last February 25.   

 

The first stakeholders’ forum was conducted in Davao City on February 25 with the objective of setting a common ground for CSR standards based on best practices from all stakeholders in the region.

 

Participants who attended the event include among others, the non-government organizations (NGOs), Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), Philippine Business for the Environment (PBE) and representatives from the academe. This event is in coordination with the Minerals Development Council (MDC) and regional MDCs as well as the recently established Coalition for Responsible Mining in Mindanao (CoRe Min2).

 

Other stakeholders’ forum scheduled is in Cebu for the Visayas Region  in April 2010 and in Subic for the Luzon Region in May 2010. The national consultation will be in Manila on June 23-25, 2010.  The finalization and publication of the CSR Guidebook is expected to come out on July 2010.      

 

 

 

 

Pantukan mayor encourages stakeholders to practice responsible mining

Mayor Juan Cipriano Celso V. Sarenas of Pantukan, Compostela Valley Province  encouraged the stakeholders of the mining industry to practice responsible mining during a forum conducted recently at the Municipality Training Center in Pantukan, Comval on Advocacy on Responsible Mining.

The mayor who attended the said forum commended the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau RXI for its efforts in instilling responsible mining to those who are engaged in mining and those who are not directly engaged but are concerned with mining all the same. The mayor during his speech emphasized that the local government of Pantukan is not against mining per se but on irresponsible mining.

The Advocacy on Responsible Mining (ARM) is a cluster initiative and advocacy campaign to increase the awareness and acceptability of a responsible mining in the fifty (50) identified host communities/baranggays in the Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental provinces. It is a part of the Davao Industry Cluster Capacity Enhancement Project (DICCEP), a JICA-Assisted capacity building project for the region’s industry clusters.

The recent forum was the third in the ground campaigns set for the region. The first two were conducted last year in Mati and Governor Generoso where mining activity is highly concentrated. Most of the attendees include among others, small and medium scale mining groups/cooperatives/companies, academe, non-government organizations, religious groups and the government sector.   

 

 MGB recommends to LGUs to stop miners from digging new tunnels in Pamintaran

As a result of the investigation conducted after a recent accident that happened at Purok Café, Sitio Butay, Brgy. Pamintaran in the Municipality of Maragusan, Comval Province, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau RXI recommended to the local government of Maragusan the prevention of opening up of new tunnels in the gold rush area in Sitio Butay in Pamintaran.

Early this year, a minor cave in happened in one of the tunnels in the gold rush area in Sitio Butay in Pamintaran that claimed the life of a miner.  According to reports from the officials of Provincial Agriculturist Office (PAGRO), an earthquake happened before the accident.  As per accounts of the other miners, the probable cause of said cave-in was the absence of timber support on a certain section of the tunnel.

As per accounts of the team who conducted the site investigation, there was an increase in the number of tunnels in the area. A cooperative was organized by the miners and tunnel owners in the area, the Maragusan Community Small Small Scale Miners Cooperative (MACOSMICO).  The tunnel owners and small scale miners, however, did not have the necessary documents to conduct  mining activities.

The team said that it is important that the local government of Pamintaran stop the miners from opening up new tunnels as existing tunnels in the area were dug closely to each other thus making cave-ins possible posing danger to the lives of the miners.  The team also reiterated that the mining plan that was recommended before be strictly followed and should be made the basis for the entire mining operation in the area after a permit is issued by the local government.

The tunnel owners were also advised to put-up timber support in areas or sections inside the tunnels/adits that needed immediate support and leave enough pillars between stopes in order for these openings/voids not to collapse. They also advised the local government officials to monitor the mining activities in the area especially during heavy rains.

 

2010 declared as National Year of Biodiversity

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo through Proclamation No. 2003 declared year 2010 as the National Year of Biodiversity to raise public awareness on biodiversity and the need for concerted efforts among nations to reduce if not eradicate the loss of biodiversity.

The Philippines being a member to the United Nations and a party to the Convention on Bilogical Diversity (CBD) is obliged to promote programs and activities that would increase public awareness on the significance of biodiversity and the effects of biodiversity loss.

Data on CBD shows that CBD is an international treaty aimed at sustaining the diversity of life on earth and about 192 states and European communities are party to CBD. The Convention believes that biological diversity is not just about plants, animals and micro organisms and their ecosystems but also “about people and the people’s need for food security, medicines, fresh air and water, shelter, and a clean and healthy environment…”

The target for this year’s National Biodiversity celebration is a strong international commitment at reducing the rate of biodiversity loss. The theme for this year’s event is “Biodiversity, Development, and Poverty Alleviation.”  

DENR Sec. Horacio Ramos

Early this year, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo appointed Director Horacio Ramos of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau as secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Secretary Ramos served the government for four decades, rising from the ranks to become the National Director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau in 1996 up to February 2010 when President Arroyo appointed him as Secretary of the DENR.

Sec. Ramos earned his B.S. in Mining Engineering from the Mapua Institute of Technology in 1967 and pursued further studies at the University of New South Wales in Australia in 1976 and 1978. He was conferred Career Executive Service Officer (CESO Rank III) by the Philippine Career Executive Service Board in 1998.

He was awarded Most Outstanding Alumni in 2009 by the Mapua Institute of Technology, Most Outstanding Professional (Mining Engineering) in 1999 by the Professional Regulations Commission, one of the Ten Outstanding Mining Engineers (Government Service) in 1996 by the Philippine Society of Mining Engineers and Hall of Fame Award for topping the Regional Performance evaluation from 1988 to 1990 by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Some of the significant positions he held in the government service include the following:  Philippine Representative to the Geneva-based Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Mineral and Sustainable Development (July 2007 - present); Philippine Representative to the Working Group on Extractive Industries and Biodiversity-The World Conservation Union (IUCN),  (2003 to May 2005; July 2006 to present); Philippine Representative to the APEC Experts Group on Minerals and Energy Exploration and Development (APEC – GEMEED) (1998 to May 2005); Permanent Philippine Representative to the Bangkok-based Coordinating Committee for Coastal and Offshore Geosciences Programmes  in East and Southeast Asia (CCOP) (1996 to May 2005; July 2006 to present); Vice-President, Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA) (1996 to 2005; 2006 to present); Chairman, National Committee on Geological Sciences (NCGS) (2000-2001); Member, Board of Examiner (Mining Engineering), Professional Regulations Commission (1982 – 1987).

    

The 10 Million Movement for Earth Day 2010

This is a campaign to increase awareness of every Filipino on climate change and its devastating effects to our lives, property and perhaps our future. This is  a campaign that encourages a group, organization or individual to do something for the environment to mitigate climate change. Some of the simple things an ordinary person could do, among others, for the environment are:

1.      Plant trees,

2.      Unplug tv, radio, computer and other electric appliances when not in use,

3.      Reuse water after washing clothes in cleaning the floors, cars, etc..,

4.      Do not overcharge cellphone,

5.      Use glass when brushing teeth, don’t allow water to run,

6.      Use pail when taking a bath,

7.      Put lights off when not in use or when sleeping,

8.      Avoid using paper,

9.      Recycle,

10.  Do not burn wastes,

11.  Buy organic products,

12.  When going up and down… walk instead of using elevator or escalator,

13.   If you have a baby, use reusable clothes than disposable diapers,

14.  Collect rain water,

15.  Minimize use of disposable cutleries and plates during parties,

16.  Buy organic products, do not litter,

17.  Put off cars instead of idling,

18.  Take a bike or walk when going to short distances,

19.  Do not ride smoke belching vehicles, report them to LTO,

20.  Compost your biodegradable wastes,

21.  Ride mass transit like MRT, LRT

22.  Others…

 

Engaging with Communities

By: Base M. Devilleres

 

Barangay Kiotoy is one of our communities within our mining claim. It has a population of 1,067 with 274 families. Most of the residents are dependent on upland farming, others are common laborers and few are engaged on micro-enterprise.   

 

The construction of the school building came about during the community public consultation where the Brgy Captain expressed the priority need to improve the dilapidated Kiotoy Elementary School. Holcim spends Php1,422,542.71 for the construction of the 2-classroom school building benefiting more than 200 students this SY 2010-2011.

 

 Engr. Cilor P. Guevarra, Holcim’s Mining, Environment, CSR & Admin Services (MECAS) Manager personally handed over the 2-classroom school building to Mr. Oscar Dano, Principal of Kiotoy Elementary School on February 23, 2010. In attendance were Mr Mario Pantonial, Kiotoy Brgy Captain & Brgy Councilors; Mr. Jose Silvosa City Mayor of Panabo , & City Councilors; DepEd officials and parents.

 

Engr. Guevarra accentuates the importance of education and Holcim’s commitment to assist host communities of its priority needs. He amplifies the value of partnership between Holcim, DepEd and Brgy Kiotoy in improving the educational facilities of the school. 

 

Mr. Dano assures Holcim and the attendees to take accountable in the maintenance, proper usage and upkeep of the school building. He conveys his gratitude and appreciation to Holcim because it’s the first major improvement done to Kiotoy Elementary School in 30 years.

 

MGB  discourages small scale mining in Brgy. Maag

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) RXI discourages small scale mining operations in areas not economically feasible for such ventures such as the one in Brgy. Maag, San Isidro, Davao Oriental where about four small scale mining operations begun opening up tunnels as early as October last year.

On March 2010 technical staff of MGB RXI conducted an ocular inspection in Brgy. Maag, San Isidro in Davao Oriental as per request letter from the mayor of San Isidro alleging small scale mining operations in said barangay without permits.

Results of investigation showed that there are four small scale mine tunnels existing in the area that started in the last quarter of 2009.  These tunnels are located within the Exploration Permit application of Concrete Solutions Inc. filed on March 2008 and within application for Production Sharing Agreement of Anaconda Mining and Development Corp. filed on August 1995.

In addition, findings also showed that based on a report from the Geological Survey Section of MGB RX, Surigao City titled “Geology of Bato-Bato, Mati, Taganilao and portion of Bitaogan Quadrangle, Davao Oriental” authored by Geologists Dennis M. Arcilla and Danilo M. Marcos dated April 1985, the said areas have metamorphic rocks identified as green schists-calcareous schist and siliceous red argillites. Such host rocks, according to the report, are not good indication for gold mineralization to warrant mining for economic utilization.