Philex Mines builds P2.1 structures for local folk

TUBA, Benguet – The Management of the Philex Mining Corporation here is supporting communities here under its Social Development and Management Program after it was able to complete the construction of over P2.1 million worth of structures which were eventually turned over to the beneficiaries for proper utilization.

For the first semester of 2010 only, Philex provided infrastructure support to four schools within its host and neighboring communities.

The company, in coordination with the various Parents, Teachers and Community Association’s (PTCA’s), has constructed two teachers quarters at TAPSAN (composed of the sitios of Tapaya, Palonopon, Piake, Sais, Sinco, and Nay-en) Elementary School (P539,000.00) and Banget Elementary School (P450,000.00), both in Ampucao, Itogon; one Home Economics Room in Sitio Torre (Torre Elementary School), Camp 3, Tuba (P580,000.00); and one comfort room in Barangay Ampucao (Alejo Pacalso National High school).

These structures were turned-over to the Department of Education through the teacher-in-charge.

Moreover, Philex Mining Corp. turned over a one unit classroom school building to Piminggan Elementary School, in Sitio Piminggan, Barangay Ansagan, Tuba, Benguet as part of the school development program in the host and neighboring communities with a total cost of P510,000.
The school is located in the isolated mountains of Barangay Ansagan, Tuba, Benguet and has currently 97 pupils and 4 teachers.

Philex Mining Corp. represented by the Community Relations Officer Jun Diso, Jr. turned over the symbolic key to the Department of Education represented by the Coordinating Principal of Tuba District Mr. Melchor Tican, the Piminggan Elementary School PTA President Mr. Jimmy E. Sapul and Teacher-In-Charge, Mrs. Remy Dum-ao, and witnessed by staff from Philex Mines, DepEd, Piminggan E/S teachers and students, Parents-Teachers Community Association members and the community.

Lawyer Eduardo Aratas, chief of Philex’s legal division, said the company continues to implements Health, Education, Livelihood and Public Infrastructure or commonly known as H.E.L.P. Programs with the objective of building self-reliant communities.

According to him, integral to Philex’s commitment to sustaining a strong partnership, poverty alleviation and promoting a sense of trust and goodwill with its host communities, is the implementation of its Education Programs.

The company is one of the few mining companies nationwide which has an outstanding performance in the implementation of social development management programs which usually benefit the host and neighboring communities.

Aratas asserted Philex will continue to efficiently and effectively implement its social development programs to show to their host and neighboring communities that they value the people living in their areas of operation for the sake of economic development beneficial to the upliftment of the living condition of the people. -- Dexter A. See