DENR to offer geosciences scholarships to boost disaster readiness

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said it has increased funding for scholarships to finance students who want to major in the geosciences.   Secretary Ramon Paje said he has directed the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) to accept more students in its scholarship program. This would boost the ranks of geologists and mining experts who could help in the geo-hazard mapping and assessment program of the government, Paje said.   “The past years saw a steady decline of geologists and mining and metallurgical engineers in the Mines and Geosciences Bureau for two reasons – one is due to their recruitment in the private sector or abroad which offer bigger salaries and two, due to a halt in DENR’s recruitment because of the rationalization program,” Paje said.   He encouraged incoming college freshmen, especially those students who graduated in the top of their class in high school to take up courses like geology and metallurgical engineering.   At present, there have been 12 students who have scholarships from the MGB. They are studying geology, mining engineering and metallurgical engineering at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Adamson University, Mapua University, Cebu Institute of Technology, and University of Southeastern Philippines in Davao City.   Since the government opened the mining industry in the mid-2000s, government mining engineers and geologists have been lured by private companies which promise better pay. Paje said some geologists earn P100,000 a month from mining firms.   The MGB currently has a total of 88 geologists, with 120 vacant positions. This is insufficient to address and respond to the needs of the government. Since the Philippines is a very geologically active country, Paje said it needs more geologists and mining engineers to be able to understand more geological processes and events like landslides and earthquakes.   “The number of geologists who chose to stay and work with us is barely enough to handle the increasing work load particularly on geo-hazard mapping and assessment which has become a necessity due to climate change,” Paje said.   The MGB scholarship covers free tuition fees, monthly stipend of P3,000, and a book allowance.   Interested applicants may inquire from the bureau’s scholarship committee at the central office of the MGB at North Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City. - AMD, GMA News