President Rodrigo Duterte appointed Mario Luis Jacinto as the new head of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, replacing long-time mining chief Leo Jasareno.
Duterte issued Presidential Directive No. 002, Series of 2016, designating Jacinto as MGB director corollary to his appointment as undersecretary at the Environment Department.
Jacinto will have the authority and supervision over the organization and operations of the Environmental Management Bureau and oversee the effective and successful implementation of its programs, activities and projects.
He was also tasked to assist the DENR Secretary by ensuring that all actions pertaining to permits, clearances, certificates, personnel recruitment, movements and appointments are authorized to be signed, issued by, or delegated to the DENR Secretary.
The directive was signed on July 26, 2016.
Jacinto earlier served as MGB regional director in Region 11. He also earlier served as city planning officer in Davao.
MGB is an attached agency of DENR which is in charge of taking direct charge in the administration and disposition of mineral lands and mineral resources. It also promulgates rules and regulations, policies and programs relating to mineral resources management and geosciences developments.