REGIONAL PROFILE Region I, otherwise known as the Ilocos Region, is composed of four (4) provinces – Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan – and nine (9) cities – Laoag, Batac, Candon, Vigan, San Fernando, Dagupan, San Carlos, Alaminos, and Urdaneta. The provinces have a combined number of 125 cities and municipalities and 3,265 barangays. Region I is situated in the northwestern part of Luzon with its provinces stretching along the blue waters of West Philippine Sea. Bounded on the North by the Babuyan Islands, on the East by the Cordillera Provinces, on the west by the West Philippine Sea, and on the south by the provinces of Tarlac, Nueva Ecija and Zambales. It falls within 15°00’40” to 18°00’40” North Latitude and 119°00’45” to 120°00’55” East Longitude. The region’s territorial jurisdiction occupies an aggregate area of 1,284,019 hectares with the Province of Pangasinan having the largest land area of 536,818 hectares followed by the Province of Ilocos Norte with 339,934 hectares, the Province of Ilocos Sur with 257,958 hectares and the Province of La Union with 149,309 hectares. Region 1 being geographically situated along the coastal stretch of the West Philippine Sea and the Caraballo Mountain Ranges is endowed with rich mineral resources. Over the decades, the development and utilization of this God-given wealth had brought significant economic upturn in our society. Hereunder is the table of Mineral Resources found in the region: Provinces Metallic Non-Metallic Ilocos Norte Gold Red Clay Feldspar Magnetite Limestone Shale sand Pebbles Sand and Gravel Copper Silica Iron Ore 4 Pag Ilocos Sur Magnetite Sandstone Sand & Gravel sand Limestone Marble Gold Pebbles Red clay La Union Magnetite Red clay Pebbles sand Shale Sand & Gravel Gold Limestone Pangasinan Gold Rock Limestone Phosphate Chromite Gabbro Copper Guano Tuffaceous Clay Magnetite Red Clay Sand & Gravel Sand Zeolite Silica Manganese Bentonite White clay Shale Holcim Philippines, Inc.-La Union Plant in Brgy. Quirino, Bacnotan, La Union and Northern Cement Corp. in Brgy. Labayug, Sison, Pangasinan are the major players in the cement manufacture. Among the metallic minerals found in the region is the copper ore. The commodity is found in Pangasinan and Ilocos Norte. Construction sand and gravel are exported in Japan and Singapore; the Luna pebbles and decorative stones in South Korea, Malaysia, USA/Hawaii, France, and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia while Zeolite and Bentonite are supplied in Japan. Serving as conduits for the commercial disposal of high-value multi-coloured pebble deposits to neighbouring Asian countries are duly accredited dealers by the MGB. 5 Pag NARRATIVE REPORT OF ACCOMPLISHMENT GENERAL ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPORT SERVICES The support from the Administrative and Finance Division significantly contributed to the attainment of the Office major programs and projects through an effective and efficient management of manpower and financial resources. GENERAL MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISION Management and Administrative Support Services Activities programmed for the year were all satisfactorily completed which were all demand driven. Maintenance and inventory of vehicles and equipment, buildings, records management, among others, were all 100% accomplished. The new MGB Regional Office building located at Government Center, Sevilla, San Fernando City is now completed and ready for occupancy. Likewise, motor vehicle operation and maintenance, procurement of supplies and materials, and records The new four storey MGB-1 Regional management were all 100% completed. Office Building The Office hired eleven (11) contractual employees under Job Order for the 1st Semester to supplement the lacking manpower wherein five (5) of these contractuals were appointed as permanent employees last September 2015. 6 Pag Housekeeping, Building and Ground Improvement Services Relative to this activity, certain MGB Personnel has been designated as Housekeeping, Building and Ground Improvement Officer. They were in charge in monitoring and submitting reports. Human Resource Management and Development Service The Human Resource Development has always been a mechanism in enhancing and upgrading employees’ capabilities. Major activities include training of employees and evaluation of performances. Learning Events and conventions were attended by personnel to enhance their knowledge and capabilities, namely: a. Geodetic Engineers of the Philippines, Inc.-Regional 41st Annual Regional Convention and Election of Officers on February 6-7, 2015 in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur. b. Presentation and Discussion of MGB-I Functional Statements on February 24, 2015 at MGB-R.O I Conference Hall, Lingsat, City of San Fernando, La Union. c. Effective Written Communication Skills Training on August 24-25, 2015 at the Civil Service Commission Regional Office No. I, City of San Fernando, La Union. Two-day Training on Effective Written Communication Skills which aimed to let participants learn basic writing techniques in delivering information in a logical and persuasive manner. 7 Pag d. Orientation Workshop on Financial Management System and Administrative Matters on September 7-12, 2015 in Tagaytay. e. Training Program on Enhancement of Management Capacity for ASEAN Web- based Mineral Resources Database on October 4 to November 12, 2015 in China. f. 1st MRFC/MMT Summit on October 21-24, 2015 at Crown Regency Hotel, Cebu City. g. 31st Annual North Luzon Area Assembly of Geodetic Engineers of the Philippines, Inc. on November 20-21, 2015 in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur. Likewise, a team building activity in coordination with the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Employees Association Chapter I (MGBEA-1) was also conducted on May 7, 2015 at Pugo, La Union to foster camaraderie among employees. The MGB-I Family Team Building in Pugad Adventure, Pugo, La Union. Solidwaste Management Service The Office strictly implemented waste segregation in collaboration with Mines and Geosciences Bureau Employees Association Region I Chapter. Every last Friday of the month, 5S was conducted at the Office and de-cluttering was strictly observed. A Solidwaste Management Officer has been designated to monitor the said activity. 8 Pag FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING MANAGEMENT SERVICE The total budget for the year is Php 21,481,385.00 for Personal Services, Php 8,993,087.00 for Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses and Php 5,000,000.00 for Building Outlay. Additional budget was also granted to the region amounting to Php 770,000.00 for the office modular. Proposals, Cash Programs, Monthly and Quarterly Financial Reports were all prepared and submitted to Central Office. Likewise, activities such as processing of vouchers and payrolls, reports preparation, and other related administrative and financial matters were more than 100% accomplished. For the year, the Office had a 100% Fund Utilization wherein 97% was used for the operations while the remaining 3% was the 20% share of CNA incentive reverted to the Bureau of Treasury and continuing appropriation for the Mineral Reservation Project. PLANNING AND POLICY FORMULATION The Work and Financial Plan for 2015 was finalized and approved. The Planning Unit provided technical assistance in the preparation of budget proposal for 2016. Monthly Accomplishment Reports and Fund Utilization Reports were also submitted. Periodic assessment of accomplishments vis-à-vis target was conducted and timely feedbacks were provided to the divisions for immediate and appropriate course of action. 9 Pag MFO. 1: MINERAL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES A.03.a.1 Communication Plan for Minerals Development Awareness and Advocacy on Mineral Resources and Geosciences (MRGS) Presentations were conducted to the different sectors of society to promote awareness and advocacy of the thrusts and programs of the Bureau. It is also an avenue to thresh out issues and concerns and other gray areas affecting the minerals industry through dialogues, media exposures, forum, and other forms of communication. Dr. Elmer B. Billedo, OIC-Regional Director, discussing with Ilocos Norte Governor Imee R. Marcos the plans and programs of MGB for the province. Hereunder are the activities undertaken for the year: a. Orientation Seminar on Confiscation and Seizure of Illegally Extracted Minerals and Mineral Products among Barangay Officials in Ilocos Norte in line with their deputation to police illegal mining activities in the province on February 26, 2015 at Provincial Capitol, Laoag City. 10 Pag Engr. Carlos A. Tayag (inset) delivers his message to the Barangay Officials of Ilocos Norte. The participants were deputized to police all illegal mining activities in the province. b. Dialogue with LGU Binalonan, Pangasinan together with the representative of the Office of Congresswoman Kimi Cojuangco on March 10, 2015. c. I-Mine Lakbay Aral 2015 on March 19-20 2015 at Philex Poro Installation. d. Committee Hearing with SP Ilocos Norte on April 15, 2015. e. Media Forum Ilocos Norte on April 28, 2015.This activity is aimed to increase awareness of our media partners on the thrusts and programs of the office and to build a network to help the government promote the proper management of our mineral resources. f. Dialogue with Ilocos Sur Governor Ryan Singson and other government agencies re: status of abandoned ships along the shoreline of San Vicente and Sta. Catalina, Ilocos Sur on May 11, 2015. g. Orientation on the provisions of Mining Laws, Rules and Regulations held at Lingayen, Pangasinan on April 24, 2015. h. Orientation Meeting re: Declaration of Minahang Bayan on June 23, 2015 in Vigan City. 11 Pag i. Ilocos Sur Media Forum on June 23, 2015. Engr. Carlos A. Tayag and MGB-I personnel address mining issues and concern in the Province of Ilocos Sur during the Media Forum held at Provincial Capitol of Ilocos Sur. j. Lecture on the Tenement Map of Sudipen, La Union which was attended by Local Officials and Permit Holders on June 16, 2015. k. Orientation on Mineral Resources and Geosciences (MRGS) to Municipal Officials in Naguilian, La Union on July 08, 2015. l. Orientation on the Revised IRR of RA 7076 otherwise known as “The People’s Small Scale Mining Act of 1991” in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte on July 28, 2015.