The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region VII (MGB-7) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) conducted a mini-forum on its mandates, missions, functions, and mineral land administration for the Graduate School of International Social Sciences of Yokohama National University (YNU)-Japan and the Graduate School of University of Santo Tomas (UST)-Philippines Delegation held at the 4th Floor Conference Room of the PENRO-7 Building in Banilad, Mandaue City, Cebu on February 23, 2016.
The event was proficiently organized by the Office of the Regional Director headed by MGB-7 Regional Director Engr. Loreto B. Alburo, CESO VI, through proper coordination with the Finance and Administrative Division Chief Atty. Gerardo V. Mahusay. The event served as a prompt response to an appointment request sent by the UST Graduate School, in behalf of the YNU, on February 16, 2016, requesting MGB-7 to enlighten and inform the delegation on the nation’s mineral and mining industry, and more particularly on the current mineral and mining plans and programs of the MGB-7 Central Visayas, when they hold their 4-day academic tour of Cebu Province on February 20 – 23, 2016.
The YNU-Japan delegates are composed of ten (10) students from Japan, South Korea and China, four (4) of whom are graduate students and six (6) are undergraduate students, while the four (4) professors, 2 ladies and 2 gentlemen are all Japanese, experts in the field of International Business Law, Politics, International Cooperation Studies, and International Law.
Conversely, the UST-Philippines delegates are comprised of two (2) UST Graduate School professors and eight (8) graduate students.
In the mini-forum, Geosciences Division Chief Geologist Al Emil G. Berador ably conveyed to the academe delegation the MGB-CO and MGB-7’s background information, missions, mandates, functions, programs and projects, as well as economics, statistics, and revenues on mineral resources administration and management. A short period of question and answer capped the forum. The questions raised concerned mostly on taxation and tax sharing scheme in the mineral industry, and one, related to offshore minerals and offshore mining. All the questions were technically and completely answered by MGB-7 Regional Director Alburo. RD Alburo also delivered the closing remarks afterwards.
MGB-7 Regional Director Loreto B. Alburo, CESO VI and Staff together with the Yokohama
National University – Japan and University of Santo Tomas – Philippines delegation
after the mini-forum held at the 4th Floor Conference Room PENRO-7 Building in
Banilad, Mandaue City, Cebu.