Gov’t also raises alarm over geologists’ exodus

MANILA, Philippines – Almost half of the country’s geologists have left government work for greener pastures abroad or in private companies here.

Environment Secretary Ramon Paje said the Mines and Geosciences Bureau has already lost 83 geologists since 2006, leaving the government with roughly 119 professionals.

MGB assistant director Leo Najareno considers the problem “critical” because of the relevance of geologists in the mining and urban planning sectors.

He said geologists help determine the structural safety of buildings.

Najareno could only blame the small pay that the professionals are getting from the government.

The government can’t keep up with the benefits offered by large mining companies here and even abroad, he said.

They offer at least 2 or 3 times that of the salaries being paid by the government, Najareno lamented.

Paje raised the alarm amid the exodus also being felt in the weather forecasting and airline industries.

The country is now feeling the impact of the mass resignations of Philippine Airline pilots, amid cancelled or rerouted flights. –abs-cbnNEWS.com