Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 625)
The National Committee on Geological Sciences operates under the authority of the Office of the President.
Geological Sciences is defined as that group of disciplines in the natural sciences dealing with the earth, its composition, physics, structure, and evolution. It includes disciplines such as Geochemistry, Petrology, Mineralogy, Geophysics, Structural Geology, Volcanology, Seismology, Economic Geology, and interdisciplinary subjects like Marine Geology, Hydrogeology, and Environmental Geology, among others.
The Committee's functions include advising the President and other entities on geological sciences matters, coordinating national and international geological programs, facilitating Philippine representation in international geological organizations, managing geological information, accepting donations for programs, and formulating necessary rules and regulations.
The Bureau of Mines and Geo-Sciences (Ministry of Natural Resources) serves as the lead agency.
The Committee is composed of official representatives from various government agencies and institutions including the Bureau of Mines and Geo-Sciences, Bureau of Coast and Geodetic Survey, Commission on Volcanology, Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, University of the Philippines' Department of Geology and Geography, National Research Council of the Philippines, Natural Resources Management Center, Mines Research Division, National Economic and Development Authority, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other concerned agencies that wish to join.
They are elected by the Committee members among themselves and serve a term of two years.
The Secretariat, headed by a permanent Executive Secretary from the Bureau of Mines and Geo-Sciences, assists the Chairman and Vice-Chairman, and holds the permanent office for the Committee.
Funding comes from the savings out of the 1980 and 1981 budget allocation for the Bureau of Mines and Geo-Sciences, managed by the Director of Mines and Geo-Sciences, who is authorized to allocate and disburse funds for the Committee's operations and maintenance.
The Committee is empowered to formulate and implement rules and regulations necessary to administer its provisions.