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41 students avail of Philex mine scholarship program

TUBA, Benguet – Forty one students from the various indigenous cultural communities availed of the college educational assistance program offered by the Philex Mining Corp. here.

Lawyer Eduardo Aratas, chief of Philex’s legal division, said that the program is in line with the vision and mission of the mining firm to support the communities where the company operates.

Out of the said number of scholars, 16 students came from the different communities in Itogon while 25 scholars were selected from the indigenous communities of Tuba.

Philex has initiated a comprehensive social development and management program for the host and neighboring communities provided for under Section 134 and 136 of the New Philippine Mining Act of 1995.

Aratas pointed out that the program is also designed to promote professions in the pursuit of sustainability in the mining industry.

The beneficiaries of the college educational assistance program of the company were selected based on certain qualifications such as being a Filipino citizen, a high school graduate, a college student or an out of school youth who finished high school and wishes to pursue college education.

Aratas added that the applicant or parents of the applicant must be a bonafide resident of any of the high and medium impact areas of the company whose parents are not employees of the mine firm.

The identified high impact areas include Alang, Alapang, Clifton , Cabanusan in Camp 3, Tuba and Luacan, Mansumang, Agpay, Catbal in Camp 3. Sal-angan, Bangit, Curba, 745, Talnag, Balog in Ampucao, Itogon.

On the other hand, the medium impact areas are Cama-it, Aguing, Torre, Balayan, Kinmabab in Camp 3. Santa Fe , Tapaya, Paday, Piake, Palunupon, Sais , Singko, Nay-en, Taluan in Ampucao. Itogon.

The privileges of the grantees shall enjoy full tuition fee depending on the course stated under the terms and conditions and schools in Baguio City and Benguet; book allowance amounting to P2,500 per semester; and monthly stipend amounting to P1,500 from the month the student is officially enrolled.

Students who successfully graduate from their courses shall be given an incentive of P5,000.

Aratas asserted that the implementation of innovative social development and management programs is in fulfillment of their commitment to help host and neighboring communities attain a certain degree of development through collaborative efforts between the people and the company. – Dexter A See