Duterte names new MGB chief

Mario Luis J. Jacinto, who had worked as consultant in several mining companies, has been named the new chief of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau.

Jacinto officially received the agency’s banner from his predecessor Leo Jasareno during a turnover rite Monday.

Through Presidential Directive No. 002 dated July 26, President Duterte also named Jacinto Undersecretary at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and gave him authority over the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB).

Based on information forwarded from the MGB director’s office, Jacinto started as a geologist at the Bureau of Mines regional office for Mindanao in 1977, working his way up the ranks to become executive director of MGB in the Davao region until 1992.

After leaving the bureau, Jacinto worked with mining firms in various capacities as consultant, including stints with the Minexplo group, Delta Mining Corp., Aromac Minerals Corp., Placer Pacific (Philippines) Ltd.

In the past 15 years, Jacinto held different positions at City Hall in Davao City, including consultant on development and planning.

When asked for comment, the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines declined to give any.

The Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association, meanwhile, welcomed the development.