With mining and quarrying considered as hazardous workplaces, MGB Region IV-A conducted a seminar/workshop entitled “Capacity Building Seminar and Mine Safety and First Aid Training” for Quezon Province Quarry, Small Scale Mining and Mineral Processing Permit (MPP) Holders last May 8, 2014. The event was held at the Quezon Province Convention Center in Lucena City. Employees and representatives from various companies and organizations within Quezon Province registered for the whole day seminar, with the aim to impart information and guidance to improve safety and working conditions in their respective workplace.

Attendees were given handouts on reportorial requirements, overview of DAO 2000-98 and was taught to fill out forms and other safety requirements. In the afternoon, they learned about occupational safety and health followed by the much awaited first-aid training.

At the end of the seminar, certificates were awarded to the attendees by the Regional Director himself, Samuel T. Paragas, who also thanked the attendees for actively participating. It was indeed a very fruitful day for the participants and a sense of fulfillment for the trainers.

A quick review on the environmental provisions of DAO 2010-21, the IRR of RA 7942 otherwise known as the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 was first discussed by the lecturer of MGB IV-A, followed by an update of operators/permit holders in Quezon Province who had complied with the mandatory requirements of the subject DAO. Attendees were given handouts on reportorial requirements of the subject DAO.