Firefighting drill highlights mine safety conference in Baguio City

BAGUIO CITY — A dramatic firefighting drill and field competition at the Melvin Jones Football Field highlighted the final day of the 71st Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference (ANMSEC) on Friday, November 21, 2025.

The Mine Safety Field Demonstration, sponsored by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA), featured emergency response teams simulating a mining-related fire.

Firefighters, rescue units, and medical personnel demonstrated rapid response protocols, fire suppression systems, and victim evacuation before hundreds of spectators.

The demonstration was paired with a field competition, where teams tested their skills in mine rescue operations, hazardous materials handling, first aid triage, and evacuation drills.

Safety technologies such as gas detection devices, drone-assisted monitoring, underground communication systems, and foam-based fire suppression systems were also showcased.

Earlier in the day, the Minerals Industry Parade marched from SM City Baguio to the Melvin Jones Grandstand, with contingents from mining companies, safety advocates, and environmental groups signaling the start of the field activities.

The four-day conference, held from November 18 to 21, 2025, carried the theme “MISSION POSSIBLE: Building Strategic Alliances for Sustainable Progress.”

Other highlights included a mining exhibit with over 120 exhibitors at the John Hay Sports Pavilion and the Minerals Industry Symposium at CAP-John Hay.

The conference concluded with a testimonial dinner and awards night at the CAP Convention Center of Camp John Hay on the evening of November 21, recognizing outstanding contributions to mine safety, environmental protection, and community engagement.

PMSEA officials emphasized that the demonstrations and competitions not only strengthened industry safety culture but also engaged the public in understanding the risks and safeguards in mining operations.