Mine firm improves lives of villagers in host communities

ITOGON, Benguet -- Benguet Corporation, which resumed operation in 2002 after its closure in 1992, continues to help improve the lives of people in its host and neighboring communities through the consistent implementation of hard and soft infrastructure projects funded under its social development management program (SDMP).

Aside from the sustainable employment it has provided to small-scale miners and villagers living within its host and neighboring communities, Mignon de Leon, BC vice-president for administration, cited more than 5,000 indigent people were able to benefit from the 12 free medical and dental missions sponsored by the mining company since 2008 to help improve the health condition of villagers that will help maintain their productivity.

“BC is also shouldering the contributions of around 75 indigent families to the sponsored program of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, thus, they do not need to worry about their medical bills when they get sick,” de Leon said.

She added around 200 day care children are also being spared from being malnourished since they are benefitting from the mine firm’s twice a week feeding program.

According to her, 22 poor but deserving students are now enjoying free high school education with a monthly stipend of P500 each for the next ten months which is incorporated in the company’s 4-year high school scholarship program while college students are being assisted through the special program for the employment of students, thus, the salaries that they earn are used to subsidize their studies.

In terms of livelihood for its host and neighboring communities, BC assisted dozens of women’s groups in the mining community to improve the mushroom production which is now in commercial operation while Wine and vinegar making, fruit preservation; and beads fashion accessories production are now generating income for the beneficiaries who are mostly wives of pocket miners and those living in the affected mining communities.

De Leon disclosed another potential source of additional income for the beneficiaries of the company’s SDMP is the lemon grass propagation since it will not only produce useful grasses for tea lovers but the plants will also serve as a soil erosion control material, especially in identified landslide-prone areas within the mining area.

 On its contribution to the efforts to preserve and protect the environment, BC has reportedly reforested around 800 hectares within its host and neighboring communities through the planting of around 1.1 million assorted tree seedlings and distributed thousands of others to groups that have conducted various tree planting activities within the mining camp.

           

 The BC official also cited the conduct of vermicomposting trainings to households to help improve the solid waste management of the communities as they are now able to utilize their compost fertilizers to facilitate the growth of their various plants and assorted tree seedlings that they were able to plant.

            

She added the firm remains committed in continuously providing financial and technical assistance to law enforcers, barangay officials, health and nutrition workers, day care teachers and senior citizens in order to help advance and promote their well being for them to continuously render quality service to the people in the community.