TACLOBAN CITY, (PNA) — The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) is urging interested students to pursue a course in Geology to avail of their scholarship program.
MGB regional director Alilo Ensomo said that their regional office has only one geologist, thus they are aggressively promoting the scholarship program to encourage more takers of the sought after profession.
Their scholarship program is not exclusive to Geology course, however, but students may also take Mining Engineering and Metallurgical Engineering.
However, there are only four schools in the country offering these courses namely Mapua University, Adamson University, University of the Philippines and one in Surigao.
Aside from their agency, some mining companies are also offering scholarship, said Ensomo.
Geologists are important as the region is prone to all types of natural calamities. Specific and accurate information to avoid these calamities are better provided by those who are practicing the profession like geologist.
But few individuals are taking the course due to lack of knowledge on the possibility of works that awaits them.
Ensomo added that aside from the government, mining companies are also experiencing the problem on lack of geologist due to higher salaries that lured them to work abroad.
The regional chief of MGB, nonetheless, assured that they will complete the geohazards survey and assessments that will be provided to local government units even with only one geologist.
The survey will serve as one of their basis in coming up with a disaster preparedness plan.