Mining firm sets P58.8-M for Nueva Vizcaya infra projects

By Leander C. Domingo

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya -- A London-based mining firm operating in Barangay Runruno here allotted more than P58.8 million for infrastructure projects in the towns of Quezon and Kasibu in this province and nearby Diffun town in Quirino province.
    Lorne Harvey, FCF Minerals Corp. general manager for operations, said the funding was allocated to 52 infrastructure projects with 31,151 beneficiaries in the three municipalities.
    "The infrastructure projects were funded through the allocated annual Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) for 2022 between the FCF Minerals Corp. and the barangay from the three municipalities," he said.
    The SDMP has a timeline of five years and is funded by the companies themselves by allocating 1.5 percent of their annual expenses.
    Out of this allocation, 75 percent goes to community development, 10 percent goes to the development of mining technology and geosciences, and the remaining 15 percent is for information, education and communication campaign.
    Harvey said geohazard assessments had been conducted on the locations of the projects by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) headed by Director Mario Ancheta.
    "Recommendations were already incorporated in the program of works prepared in partnership with the Municipal Engineering Office of Quezon, Kasibu and Diffun in Quirino province," he said.
Harvey said they had reached a 96.80-percent physical accomplishment based on the percentage distribution of 2022 completed infrastructure projects.
    He added that the completion of construction and improvement of health-related infrastructure was now at 6 percent, construction/improvement of school-related infrastructure at 19 percent, installation of solar streetlights at 2 percent, support to the promotion of ecotourism at 4 percent, improvement/establishment of agricultural infrastructure at 27 percent, improvement of barangay hall at 17 percent and improvement of road network at 25 percent.