BOHOL: A Great Geological Destination

(This output was part of our final requirements in the Undergraduate Seminar course. Other outputs with re: to our experiences in Cebu and Bohol are shown at ageos6.wordpress.com.)

Bohol, Philippines -- is a province in the Central Visayas region. It is a favorite destination for tourists because of its remarkable geologic features. Bohol, comes from the word, "boho", which means "sinkhole". This is due to the fact that Bohol island is a karstic region.

On December 9, 2015, the fourth year geology students from the University of Southestern Philippines visited Bohol Island as part of their activity on their Undergraduate Seminar course. The students were assisted by Mr. Boyet Boncales, a well-known tourist guide in Bohol and is working under World of Adventures Travel and Tours (WATT) agency.

The Tour

The students started the day by preparing themselves for the trip to Bohol. They departed Sarrosa International Hotel at 5:00a.m. and took their breakfast before going to the pier. After breakfast, they departed for Tubigon, Bohol via fastcraft. It is an hour ride from Cebu to the said port area. 

(First Stop: Anonang Faultline in Inabanga, Bohol)

A Magnitude 7.2 hit Bohol on October 15, 2013 at about 8:12a.m. (PST). It gave rise to a rocky wall, now popularly known as The Great Wall of Bohol. Going there, the studes were able to observe the North Bohol Fault and its vertical displacement extending to as high as five meters. Today, the displacement is hardly recognized due to the thick vegetative cover.

(Second Stop: Chocolate Hills)

After visiting the then unchartered faultline, they proceeded to Carmen, Bohol where the famous Chocolate Hills are located. It was emphasized to the group that these hills were the results of the past geologic events in Bohol -- exhibiting that a former tragedy could actually lead to something very essential in time.

      
(Third Stop: Bilar Manmade Forest, Loboc River and Tarsier Sanctuary)

Sidetrips were another highlight observed in the activities in Bohol trip. The geo students stopped by Bilar Manmade Forest for about ten minutes to take some pictures and to see the beautiful area. Afterwhich, they proceeded to the famous Loboc River, where they took their lunch on a rivwr cruise. They were able to see the structures present in Loboc. The lunch break ended with few of their classmates sang with the live band of the bamboo cruise. 

Aside from this, they went to the Tarsier Sanctuary in Corella, Bohol. They took pictures with the tiny creatures with the prohibition of not disturbing them.

(Fourth Stop: Maribojoc Bay Uplifted-Ridges)

In relation to the geologic event that had happened on October 2014, parts of Maribojoc and the neighboring town, Loon were also affected. They observed the seaward-shifting of the high tide mark that extends to 50 meters. The old tower facing the sea was slightly damaged due to the quake. The sea notch was also exposed in the area. 

According to the information board shown in Brgy. Punta Cruz in Maribojoc, the measured surface of ruptures ranged from 0.10 meters to as much as 5 meters vertical displacement. These ruptures were clearly observed on the first stop in Inabanga, Bohol.

* * *

After the long day of visit in some parts of Bohol, the team went to the pier of Tagbilaran City, Bohol for departure to Cebu. They sidelined in buying the usual "pasalubong" of Boholanos best food near the port area. They bid their goodbyes to Bohol as they departed the island via fastcraft. 

Bohol Island is a place that had experienced numerous and multiple geologic events that resulted to the formation of different structures such that of the Chocolate Hills. Ones we consisered such events as tragic, now made the island aesthetically different from the surrounding provinces, likewise, making it a great geological destination.

(Photos are to be followed)

Isang Saknong Bilang 2: TAYO AT ANG BAYAN

Ikaw at ako ay may kakayahan

Na baguhin ang baluktot na daan.

Piliting maging isang makabayan,

Paggawa nang mabuti'y pagsumikapan.

Isang Saknong Bilang 1: PAGHIHINTAY

Darating ang panahon,

Maamo mong mukha'y muling masisilayan.

Sa panahon ding yaon,

Liligaya na rin nang tuluyan.

Bisaya101: Mayor to Presidente Digong!

Kaniadto, ako gahandum

Na makita si Mayor Digong

Ako gahulat lang ug nagalaum

Ug katong kagustuhan wa napalong.

Tuod man, siya akong nakita,

Sa iyang pahalipay sa among mga kabatan-onan.

Wa ko jud damha katong higayona

Sa ako na firstimer, daw siya artistahin man.

Wa ko jud limti,

Nga samtang daghang gapalitrato,

Siya sige rag tingsi

Sama gihapon sa mga standee niya sa establisyimento.

Habang siya gipaestorya

Wa gayo'y nagsige ug tabi.

Tanan, ang dalunggan gabuka

Ug seryosong namati.

Sa iyang pagdagan

Ako gayod nalipay

Tanan balita, akong giatngan,

Bisan kadtong mga balita na lisud tunlon sa tunhay.

Ako usahay maglagot

Sa mga taong grabe makahukom

Mga istoryang puro ra gayod butbot

Hoy, among mayor di abusadog gahum!

Kung nasayod pa lamang sila

Sa iyang kahanas

Sa pagpatuman ug kahiusa

Nan ilang dila, mao najuy muatras.

Sayod kami, dunay mga pamalikas

Na dili angay pamarisan

Para wala nay ligas,

Nganong dili nalang gud ampoan?

Angay kang mahadlok

Kung ikaw nagbuhat ug dautan

Bisan unsa pang tago ug tuyok-tuyok,

Bantay ka, ikaw gayud mahinaykan!

Apan ikaw na matarung

Iya gayong tabangan, pasidunggan

Busgon ka sa mga pulong

Na tiniguwang ug edaran.

Malipayon gayud ako

Para kay Mayor Duterte.

Mayor kaniadto,

Karon, el presidente.

Hinaut iyang matuman

Ang iyang mga saad.

Saad para sa kaayohan sa kinatibuk-an

Aron kabag-ohan sa nasud ato na gayong matugkad.

Mabuhay ang amahan sa Dabaw!

Mabuhay ka, Mayor Digong!

PMC: BENEATH THE SURFACE

MINERAL RESOURCES are of great importance. Almost all the things that we are using are extracted from the mine. From spoons to forks, from a simple machine to a very luxurious car, from bulletproofing gears to protective glasses, from cosmetic products to expensive jewelries, the mineral industry has provided the people with their daily needs. It is, likewise, a common ground in producing raw materials for technological advancements and innovation.

Mineral on Focus

Since the earlier time up to the present, Gold is one of the most popular mineral because of its value. Gold has traces of copper, silver, and iron. The rareness, resistance, beauty, and ability to be used in different aspects have sealed gold’s reign in the history of mankind. 

Today, gold is mined by large companies around the Philippines and in the world. One of the gold producing companies is the Philsaga Mining Corporation (PMC), a former private company (now merged with Medusa Mining Limited).

The Philsaga Mining Corporation (PMC)

Philsaga Mining Corporation (PMC) started its operation in 1989 and is located in the province of Agusan del Sur, Caraga Region. It is a three-hour ride from Davao City going north. Philsaga is the only remaining underground mine in the Philippines. PMC’s line of activities include: a) mine operation; b) mill operation; and c) environment protection in compliance with the Philippine mining law.

Personal Experience

It was in the first semester (I forgot the particular month) when it was announced that we are going to a mining company. I was excited knowing that this is just my second time in going to a mining company (first was in Apex). I always feel like I’m still a neophyte in the terms that are used in mining. Well, forgive me, I spent my on-the-job-training in a government agency (and that made me sealed my decision to work in the government agency, if given a chance, soon). But, I’m always open to learn something new. Going back, it was scheduled that we are to go in PMC on the 5th of December, 2015. Everyone’s excited. Who wouldn’t? It’s a packaged deal – learning something new and the very famous side trip. 

On the other hand, going to the site was not that easy. Our professor, chairman, and mayors dealt with serious problem with regards to the signature of approval from the school authorities. Thank God, everything went well after series of convincing.

Philsaga – We were briefed about their company the moment we arrived to the place. Speakers from the company presented their assigned sector, the Mine Division, Mill Division, and Environment Division (and the Food Division… JOKE!). I was actually amazed by the company’s organized operation. 

The company’s stage-by-stage mining operations were shown, including videos about their initiative to transform and develop a community. PMC gets their gold mineral through underground mining. It was said that it’s the only remaining underground mine. Its current operation is now working on the eighth level (50 meters per level) going down and is planning to extend their operation into the sixteenth level underneath. Sixteenth level.  Sixteen times fifty (16 x 50)? Imagine.

Furthermore, the company produces favorable amount of gold. We were toured to the mill area and to the area where we could have a closer look at their tailings pond. 

Seeing the organized operation in Philsaga, I learned that any company could actually do the same, except that accidents are unavoidable. A mining company is not just about all the destructions. I think the public must be informed about some misinformation. It’s a different story with my experiences in PMC. Communities enjoy the benefits of the company like livelihood programs, social development initiatives, building of school, scholarship programs and other benefits. And there’s nothing to worry about, because responsible mining is about following rules on the laws of mining, including the rehabilitation and eco-friendly initiatives. Overall, it was a great experience. There are still a lot of stories that will be presented beneath the surface. As what we told the company as we bid our farewell, again, I say, “Salamat, Philsaga!”