Four Philex Mining Academy student stop licensure exam

By Thet Mesias

Four University of the Philippines-Diliman graduates on schooling at the Philex Mining Academy were among the topnotchers in the 2012 Mining Engineer Licensure Examination, with all other academy interns also passing the exam.

Jerrold King V. Magtagnob placed second in the exam, with a grade of 88 percent, given by the Board of Mining Engineering, in Manila this month, while Vic Anthony S. Vizcarra was on the fifth place (85.75), and Donald Mel T. Odilao and Jesse Lance L. Reyes clinched the seventh (84.75) and ninth (84.2) spots, respectively.

Philex academy students Jericko Franz S. Giolagon, Marck M. Maramat, ArbieAizel T. Mitran, Jonnel F. Nagpacan, and Jan Carlo L. Parian also passed the exam, where 57 of the 67 examinees passed, according to the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).

The cadets said they were grateful to the Philex academy, which had tapped some experts in the field to conduct review classes for them in preparation for the board exam.

 “That was really a great help to us,” said Magtagnob, who was confident of passing the exam but had no inkling that he would be No. 2.

Mr. Odilao agreed, noting that there are no formal review centers around for mining engineering graduates.

All the nine graduates of the UP College of Mining Engineering, in Diliman, formed the first batch of mining engineers who got accepted into the Philex Mining Academy and started their cadetship last April, according to Carmelita B. Catacutan, head of the academy.

 “The idea is to encourage exchange of ideas among these technical experts to support existing and future operational requirements of all Philex Mining sites,” she explained Ms. Catacutan, who said that the academy is part of Philex Mining Corporation’s strategic move for growth and expansion.

 The cadets said they all plan to finish their five-year contract with Philex Mining, with most of them intending to stay with the company afterwards while some said they might open their own businesses. Some of them also have plans of going to graduate schools in preparation for managerial positions.

The cadetship program of Philex Mining consists of four phases that will run for two years, offering a comprehensive training that exposes cadets to the critical functions of mining and milling operations. The cadets have been receiving monthly allowances since June, and their formal training will start from September.

The other topnotchers in the board exam were Mikhail T. Serrano, of UP Diliman, who placed first at 88.3 percent; Haiza S. Pigkaulan, third (86.55), and Carlo D. Javarez, fourth (86.05), both of Palawan State University; Kayzer C. Llanda, sixth (UP Diliman, 85.35); Jason D. Esmero, eighth (UP Diliman, (84.3); andJamil G. Matanog, 10^th (Palawan State Univ., 84.05)

Catacutan said Philex Mining is working closely with the First Pacific Leadership Academy (FPLA) in the development of courses and modules on fourtarget areas: Proficiency Development, Project Management, Management Development Program, and Advanced Technical Skills Development.

Established last April, the academy has already accepted nine mining and five metallurgy cadets for the professional category. It will soon offer technical vocational courses for non-professionals that will be patterned after the course format of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

 Ms. Catacutan said that Philex Mining Academy has adopted a system that provides a mechanism and program for employees’ career and professional development, stressing, “We don’t offer jobs; we offer careers.”