[ferro-alloys.com]The Mineral Economics, Information and Publications Division (MEIPD) of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Central Office conducted a workshop to develop the competency of its Information Officers (IO) on basic communication concepts, and Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Campaign on October 1 – 5, 2018.

Entitled Training and Capability Building for MGB Personnel Responsible for Statistical Data and Analysis and Information Dissemination, the five-day workshop was aimed at enhancing the skills of the MGB Central and Regional Offices’ (RO) Information Officers in the following areas: writing in different disciplines; media management; media relations; basic concepts in crisis communications; and application of theories that support the creation of effective audience-specific IEC materials.

Through lectures, open forums, analysis and constructive criticism, the workshop also served as a venue for the sharing of best practices, tips and strategies on how to improve the MGB’s current efforts in handling crisis, media, website and IEC.

During the workshop, the participants were also able to learn more details about the newly issued mining policies which included the following:  Administrative Order 2018-19 - Guidelines for Additional Environmental Measures for Operating Surface Metallic Mines; Memorandum Circular 2018-02 - Guidelines for Compliance Monitoring and Rating/Scorecard of Mining Permits/Contracts; and Memorandum Circular 2018-01 - Guidelines in the Conduct, Apprehension, Seizure, Confiscation and Disposition of Illegally sourced Minerals/Mineral products and By–Products, Tools, Conveyances and Equipment Used.

Speakers from the MGB Central Office were Engr. Larry Heradez, OIC Chief, Mining Tenements Management Division; Engr. Marcial Mateo from the Mine Safety, Environment and Social Development Division; and Atty. Josephine Sescon from the Legal Services Division, followed by communications practitioners Mr Miko Morelos, corporate communications specialist; Ms Diana Avancena, public relations specialist; and Ms Jennifer Ann Ambanta, media relations specialist and former journalist.

The workshop was held at the Microtel Hotel in UP Ayala Land Technohub in Quezon City and was attended by the IOs and economists in the MGB Central and Regional Offices.

• [Editor:王可]