MGB IX Observes National Disaster Consciousness Month 2015
The month of July is not just Nutrition Month celebration for our primary and secondary schools because one of the significant observances during this month is the National Disaster Consciousness by virtue of Executive Order No. 137, signed in August 1999 by then President Joseph Estrada.
This year’s theme, ‘Pamilya at Pamayanang Handa, Katuwang sa Pag-unlad ng Bansa’ was very timely as we are all enjoined to be ready in times of disasters beginning from our own respective families at home.
Signifying support and involvement to this month-long observance, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau IX (MGB IX) have initiated and participated in different activities particularly on the Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaign. Last July 8, 2015, Ms. Daryl Mae M. Gerodiaz, of the Geosciences Division gave a lecture on Geologic/Hazards Maps to twelve (12) school districts (barangays) representatives of Zamboanga City during the one (1) day Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) Orientation Seminar organized by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD IX) held at the Subanen Hall, Garden Orchid Hotel, this City. The participants include focal persons from several elementary and high school teachers in Zamboanga whose schools are located in hazard prone areas. Ms. Gerodiaz presented the local hazards as well as the mandate and current programs of the bureau. Other government agencies like PAGASA, PHILVOCS were also invited to give lecture during the said event. Posters and pamphlets were likewise distributed to the participants.
Ms. Gerodiaz also presented the same lecture to DRRM focal persons/teachers of Dapitan City during the four (4) day Regional Contingency Plan Formulation Workshop last July 13 to 16, 2015 at the Dakak Park & Beach Resort, Dapitan City. Joining her in this activity was MGB IX DRRM Focal person/representative Ms. Jessica Avecilla-Delos Reyes who disseminated landslide and flood posters, pamphlets and soft copies to the participants to augment MGB's intensive Information Education Campaign (IEC) on geohazards awareness.
The month-long series of DRRM Orientation Seminars for teachers was culminated with the same lecture by Senior Geologist Mr. Mustansir V. Manjoorsa last July 31, 2015 held at the Mardale Hotel in Pagadian City.
Information Officer, Emma Deverala also conducted an IEC lecture on Responsible Mining and Geohazard Awareness to selected High School students of Boniao National High School and Mahayag Vocational High School in the Municipality of Mahayag, Zamboanga del Sur last July 14 and 15, respectively. Mr. Roserverico Tan, OIC of the Regional Public Affairs Office of DENR-IX also served as a resource person on Climate Change and Global Warming in the same IEC activity.
To educate and capacitate MGB - IX employees about rain- induced and earthquake - caused hazards' awareness and preparedness, the Finance and Administrative Division in partnership with the MGBEA - IX Chapter, MGB - IX Employee’s Multi-Purpose Cooperative and the GAD Focal Point System organized a one - day Capability Building on Disaster Preparedness at the La Vista del Mar, Zamboanga City. Former Geosciences Division Chief, Ms. Vheina Quintana served as the resource person for the said event. Updates and orientation on the Constitution and By-Laws of the MGBEA and Guidelines on the Establishment of the GAD Focal Point System were also briefly discussed to the members. Towards the end of the day, team-building activities were incorporated to forge unity, cooperation and support amongst the employee
Meanwhile, Supervising Geologist Lawrence R. Zamoras, Phd. represented MGB IX as part of the DENR Team for the Turtle Island Ecotourism Project in the Province of Tawi-Tawi last July 22 to 27, 2015, to specifically conduct site assessment to determine the geohazards on the proposed construction of an eight-room hotel with restaurant and cottages plus a power house. Other groups composed of representatives coming from different government, non-government agencies and the private sector also joined the Team to the said Ecotourism Project.