SAFETY NETWORKING ACTION PROGRAM (SNAP) UPDATES

 

         On September 4, 2003, the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA) unveiled its most ambitious program – Safety Networking Action Program (SNAP). The SNAP advocates an integrated approach to prevention, preparedness and emergency response to natural and man-made emergencies in support of the national government’s disaster and coordination program. It aims to link the trained cadre of emergency response, search and rescue/recovery experts of the minerals industry (metallic mines and cement/aggregates) in a more coherent and effective way during times of emergencies and disasters. It also envisions to have a full pledged institutional structure that would develop the capacity to organize and conduct trainings, share equipment and logistics, establish communication networking, make available the use of relief and medical assistance centers, and other collaborative arrangement with concerned agencies as well as international organizations.

 

OBJECTIVES:

 

·      To harness the mining industry’s awareness and preparedness during emergencies and/or natural/man-made disasters within the critical hour on a nationwide basis;

·      To initiate people’s awareness in emergency identification;

·      To organize and train community-based emergency response teams;

·      To form a safety network of resources of the mining industry with other industries and government institutions; and

·      To link up with local and international donor institutions to support the safety network.

 

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

 

The following are the accomplishments of the SNAP:

 

         Linked-up With Different Entities in the Minerals Industry

        

Last year, the PMSEA was able to convince the local mineral sector, its affiliates and other related industry groups to commit and bind themselves to support the SNAP. With the full support of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, the PMSEA conducted an assessment of the present capability of the industry to respond to emergencies and disasters. It includes and inventory of available emergency equipment that may be tapped during emergencies and disasters. This paved the way for the PMSEA to work for the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement with the Office of Civil Defense-National Disaster Coordinating Council (OCD-NDCC) and Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (CMP) to ensure that the operational aspect of the SNAP shall fit in with the organizational framework of the OCD-NDCC and to effectively carry out its objectives. The MOA was signed last November 13, 2003 during the 50th Anniversary of the Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference at Manila.

 

Provided Assistance During the Leyte Landslides

 

In December, 2003 the PMSEA mobilized rescue and recovery teams from its member companies, namely, Benguet Corporation and Union Cement Corporation-Lugait Plant to the Province of Leyte to assist in the rescue and retrieval operations of the victims of the landslide that occurred in the province. Likewise Philippine Mining Service Corporation provided assistance to the victims of the said landslide.

 

Conducted  Regional Mine Safety and Environment Conference:

 

In order to effectively attain its objectives, the PMSEA decided to conduct Regional Mine Safety and Environment Conferences in four (4) areas throughout the Philippines, prior to the National Conference in Baguio City in November, 2004, to bring disaster prevention and awareness to the grass root level. Highlight of said conferences was the holding of safety competitions to showcase the mineral industry’s capability to meet the challenges on disaster management.

 

Signed Memorandum of Agreement with the Philippine National red Cross:

 

On September 24, 2004, the PMSEA and CMP signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC). The MOA provided for, among others, the sharing of expertise on disaster management among the PMSEA, CMP and PNRC and coordination of blood donation and medical mission activities thru the SNAP. The maiden joint project of the said group were the blood letting and medical missions that coincided with the holding of the Regional Mine Safety and Environment Conferences.

 

IV.  AWARD/RECOGNITION:

 

The PMSEA was chosen as one of the recipients of the Gawad Kalasag Award on October 18, 2004 at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City. A Plaque of Appreciation was conferred to the association in recognition of its active promotion of disaster preparedness initiatives and assistance provided to NDCC in disaster management

 

V.  FUTURE PLANS AND PROGRAMS:

 

The PMSEA shall:

 

·      Continue to encourage other non-committed mining and quarrying companies, cement plants and affiliated industries/associations to be part of SNAP.

·      Establish its official headquarters to be manned by competent staff to properly and efficiently manage the SNAP.

·      Continue to provide training on disaster management to its member entities in coordination with the NDCC and PNRC.

·      Establish its own disaster preparedness teams complete with appropriate equipment and logistics.

·      Strengthen its linkages with local and international agencies for capability building and financial support to sustain its operations.

 

The following entities are signatories to the commitment to support the SNAP.

 

·       PHILIPPINE MINE SAFETY AND    ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATION

·       CHAMBER OF MINES OF THE PHILIPPINES

·       BENGUET CORP.

·       PHILEX MINING CORP.

·       LEPANTO ONSOLIDATED MINING COMPANY

·       BB FISCHER AND COMPANY, INC.

·       PHILIPPINE CHAMBER OF COAL MINES

·       RIO TUBA NICKEL MINING CORP.

·       TERESA MARBLE CORP.

·       ORICA EXPLOSIVES PHILIPPINES, INC.

·       CEMEX PHILIPPINES

·       VULCAN INDUSTRIAL MINING CORP.

·       UNITED PARAGON MINING CORP.

·       ATLAS CONSOLIDATED MINING COMPANY

·       PHILIPPINE MINING SERVICE CORP.

·       PHILIPPINE SOCIETY OF MINING ENGINEERS-CEBU CHAPTER

·       UNITED PHILIPPINES DRILLING CO., INC.

·       RAPID CITY REALTY AND DEVELOPMENT CORP.

·       UNION CEMENT CORP.

·       PHILIPPINE MINERAL EXPLORATION ASSOCIATION

·       PETI TRADING, INC.

·       MONTALBAN AGGREGATES PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION

·       FEDERATION OF NON-METALLIC MINES ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILS.

·       LA FAYETTE PHILS., INC.

·       BOHOL LIMESTONE CORP.

·       ANGLO-AMERICAN EXPLORATION PHILS., INC.

·       HERITAGE RESOURCES MINING CORP.

·       MINING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF MINDANAO

·       EASTERN RIZAL MINERS ASSOCIATION