MGB seeks P1.04B budget for 2013

MANILA, Philippines - The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) is seeking a higher budget of P1.04 billion for 2013, 40 percent higher than its current budget of P742.49 million to enable it to expand its geohazard mapping activities and strengthen its monitoring of environmental compliance of mining companies.

The components of the 2013 budget are broken down as: P439.36 million for personnel services; P463.16 million for maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE), and P135.60 million for capital outlay.

MGB said the increase in MOOE budget – approximately P190 million – would be used for the conduct of geohazard assessment and mapping of additional 330 municipalities/cities.

A total of 548 municipalities/cities were targeted for geohazard assessment and mapping in the 1:10,000 scale for 2013.

Additional budget would also allocated for the monitoring of compliance of mining companies to their approved work programs; safety, health, environment and social programs; as well as the rehabilitation and construction of MGB office and laboratory facilities.

The increase in budget for personnel services is due to the implementation of the fourth tranche of the Salary Standardization Law III.

A salient feature of the budget proposal is the P4.22 million earmarked for the grant of scholarships to 20 undergraduate students taking up degrees in Geology, Mining Engineering and Metallurgical Engineering.

“This is part of MGB’s commitment to support deserving students who will become the future professionals in the industry,” said the MGB.