MOAs on rain gauges in mine sites, "re-greening" signed

CEBU, Philippines - The Mines and Geosciences Bureau-7 of Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration, and 10 other mining groups in the region signed yesterday a memorandum of agreement for the installation and maintenance of standard rain gauges in the concerned mine sites.

According to MGB-7 regional director Roger de Dios, this would help in providing the people, through their municipalities, with correct information if they are in “potential areas of landslides, flooding and other geological hazards.”

De Dios said that the initiative is a first time in the country designed by the mining companies which prove that these firms are serious in its desire to be of help to the protection of the environment and the people.  

Pagasa will conduct training on how to properly install and maintain rainfall measuring apparatus, the choosing of the site where the apparatus would be placed, and the gathering of data.

After the training, the mining companies will be responsible in maintaining all operations like collection, reading and recording of data as prescribed by Pagasa.

De Dios signed the memorandum together with Oscar Tabada, officer-in-charge of the weather bureau, and the representatives of the 10 companies.

These mining companies are APO Cement Corporation and Apo Land and Quarry Corporation in Naga, Carmen Copper Corporation in Toledo City, Taiheiyo Cement Philippines Inc. and Solid Earth Development Corporation in San Fernando, JLR Construction and Aggregates Inc. in Naga, and the Philippine Mining Service Corporation-Bohol Limestone Corporation in Garcia-Hernandez;

Philippine Mining Service Corporation-Dolomite Mining Corporation in Alcoy, Lazi Bay Cebu Resources Development Incorporated in Lazi, Siquijor; and Goodyield Resources Development Incorporated in Ayungon, Oriental Negros. 

During the said gathering, another memorandum of agreement was signed between the DENR and the Pollution Control Association of the Philippines Inc., for their partnership in the “re-greening efforts” of the region’s forests.

Regional executive director of DENR Leonardo Sibbaluca signed the memo with Engr. Rodrigo Godoy, president of PCAPI.

PCAPI is a non-government organization that helps in the protection of the environment, particularly with regards to the prevention and control of land, air and water.

In the agreement, PCAPI will be assisting the project financially with P2 million for the production of 400,000 seedlings of Molave, Narra, Pangantoon, and other forest and fruit-bearing trees.

In return, DENR will be the one to provide the nursery area where the seedlings are to be produced.

DENR will also be responsible in the giving of technical support for the accomplishment of the production as well as the maintenance of what would be produced. — AJ dela Torre/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)