To highlight the economic contribution of the mining industry as well as the vital role of miners in times of natural calamities, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau and mining industry stakeholders will formally launched today Friday, Nov. 8, hashtag Mining Responsibility (#Mining Responsibility).
A nationwide social media campaign through infomercials, the MGB and various mining stakeholders aim to educate the public about the economic and the social impact of responsible mining in the country.
The #Mining Responsibility was launched after the series of strong earthquakes that devastated Southern Philippines that triggered the ongoing search, rescue, and relief operations of the government in earthquake-hit parts of Mindanao.
The PMSEA, led by its president, Dr. Walter W. Brown, right after the magnitude 6.5 earthquake that jolted Tulunan, Cotabato Province, immediately activated the “Operation Mindanao Earthquake” through its Pusong Minero Program headed by Engineer Louie Sarmiento.”
Pusong Minero thru volunteer companies have been extending its expertise in disaster search and rescue long before rescue teams were mandated by the government to be formed by LGUs.
Pusong Minero volunteers saw action since the 1990 earthquake in Baguio, Guinsaugon, Leyte landslide, Real Quezon landslide incident; Typhoon Sendong in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, Negros Oriental Earthquake, Pantukan 1&2 landslide in Compostela Valley, Hagonoy, Typhoon Pablo in New Bataan and Catiil Compostela Valley Bohol earthquake and Typhoon Yolanda in Samar and Tacloban and Mayon Volcano eruption in Albay.
During the past few days, the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association under its Pusong Minero Program provided much-needed help in the areas affected by the Mindanao earthquakes.
PMSEA-Pusong Minero Executive director Louie Sarmiento said that close coordination with DENR headed by Secretary Roy A. Cimatu through MGB director Moncano has been done following the magnitude-6.5 earthquake last Oct. 31, 2019.
In response, Apex Mining immediately sent an Emergency Response Team to help in the search and rescue operation in a collapse Ecoland Condominium in Davao City.
Other ERTs and were also sent in other parts of Mindanao, such as in Kidapawan City where Pusong Minero members also provided relief goods, including water, inside and outside the evacuation centers of the affected communities.
Apex Mining also deployed geologist to Kidapawan in coordination with MGB-12 Regional Director Felizardo Gacad to conduct geohazard assessment and evaluation to the affected areas.
Meanwhile, a 34-man team from Taganito Mining Corp. led by Engineer Renan Cuadrillero is currently helping in the rescue and relief operation in North Cotabato, particularly in Makilala town.
They are among the first responders in Makilala town, one of the worst impacted areas by the earthquake.
Mr. Rowel Torrejos, the head of the Pusong Minero Program in Mindanao is closely coordinating with the Office of the Civil Defense, concerned Provincial, City and Municipal LGUs and other mining companies to provide needed assistance to victims of the Mindanao earthquake.
Meanwhile, the PMSEA through Pusong Minero Program airlifted water purifier to Mindanao yesterday to augment the needs of calamity victims in the Region.