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What a relief! Children - who are generally vulnerable to health risks in far-flung coastal communities - were among the principal recipients of Agata’s medical outreach program.
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The Agata medical outreach boosted the morale of residents, including children who comprise most of the 200+ patients in Barangay Lawigan, Tubay Municipality. (In photo): Agata Physician Dr. Lalaine Postrano keeps the mood light during medical examinations to enjoin younger patients.
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Agata’s heroes. Company nurses and employee-volunteers spend their National Heroes Day with patients during the company’s two-day medical outreach.
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The medical outreach also monitored health conditions among Lawigan’s elders while Agata personnel shared insights on health awareness with other residents.
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Dual approach. While the Agata medical team provided diagnostics and consultation, the Community Relations team conducted an inspection of the residents’ health conditions and monitored the implementation of its organic vegetable project for proper nutrition in the community.
Barangay Lawigan residents receive free medical check-ups and medicines
Tubay, Agusan del Norte / September 2018 – More than 200 patients in Agata’s host community in Barangay Lawigan, Tubay Municipality of this province received free medical check-ups, medicines and vitamins from the company during a recent two-day medical mission. The outreach program for coastal residents and fisherfolks – and mostly their children aged 10 and below – was spearheaded by Agata Mining Ventures, Inc. (AMVI), a joint nickel laterite project of TVI Resource Development Philippines Inc. (TVIRD) and MRL Nickel Philippines Inc.
As the country celebrated National Heroes Day, Agata sent its team of community relations officers, physician, two medical nurses, 15 volunteers from the Agata Emergency Response Team and key members of its Safety and Health Department. The full complement of personnel provided necessary diagnostic and immediate care to needy patients in the seaside community.
In addition to the Lawigan mission, an earlier medical outreach was also conducted in nearby Barangay Tagbuyacan in Santiago, which is one of Agata’s three host municipalities that include Tubay and Jabonga. Meanwhile, upcoming missions in the remaining coastal communities are likewise set to be conducted within the year.
Better access to health
Even before bringing its operation on-stream, Agata has been providing medical and health services to its communities especially those along the shoreline of Tubay: Barangays Lawigan, Tinigbasan, Binuangan and Tagpangahoy. These coastal communities are difficult to access due to poor roads that are frequently damaged by the elements while reaching these places by sea is likewise challenged by occasional typhoons and heavy swells.
“The people’s health is very much at risk every now and then. (But) we are blessed with Agata’s presence in our community. We do not feel worried since the company has lived-up to its word,” declared Barangay Chairman Nilo G. Mordeno. The company earmarked some P1.7 million of its yearly Social Development and Management Program budget for similar local missions that have already reached over 700 beneficiaries.
As early as 2014, Agata and Sociedad Española de Beneficencia Inc. (SEB-Manila), a charitable institution dedicated to the care of both Spanish and Filipino indigents in the country, conducted a joint medical mission in Barangays Tinigbasan and Lawigan. The combined medical team and doctors from the Philippine National Police (PNP) provided check-ups, consultation and medicines to some 554 beneficiaries.
The mission, which also received the strong support and participation of Tubay Municipal Mayor Fidel Garcia and the Tubay Women’s Federation, addressed respiratory tract infection – which was recorded as the highest occurring illness in the area
Other health issues addressed by the mission include urinary tract infection, hypertension, skin diseases, tension headaches, muscle spasms, arthritis and various gastro-intestinal problems, among others.
“Agata also provided us boats that help ferry our children to school every day as well as transportation in times of distress or emergency,” Mordeno added. Earlier this year, Agata turned-over more than 30 paddleboats to the Lawigan- Sua Fisherfolks and Farmers Association (LASFFA) which the members use for their daily livelihood. The company also provides a regular “school boat” service that takes students to and from Tinigbasan Public School daily.
Health and safety
In the wake of landslides caused by recent typhoons in the country, the community’s health and safety have taken centerstage in the priorities of the Philippine extractive industry. And it is one that Agata does not wish to compromise.
Before the start of mining operations, Agata’s communities have been marked in the Mines and Geosciences Bureau’s (MGB) Geohazard Map – one that is prone to landslides, flooding, swell, tsunamis and frequent bushfires due to its natural landscape. Thus, in addition to increasing the economic activity and providing jobs and livelihood, Agata established necessary measures and escalation plans to better secure people in the area.
“Agata’s extensive safety and disaster preparedness is worth emulating. Across the province, we are pushing these activities to be replicated in other major companies and industries. Agata sets the bar high in providing safety for the public across the province,” according Officer Erma Suyo of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office.
Currently, Agata has a standby fire truck, two ambulances, a 24-hour medical clinic and a fully-trained and equipped emergency response team that will respond in times of emergencies or natural calamities. The company also holds regular fire drills, emergency and basic life support trainings as well as a Rescue Olympics among its employees and contractors. It has been consecutively the Winner of Provincial Rescue Olympics being conducted annually by the PDRRMO in Agusan del Norte.
“Addressing the welfare of our communities, especially their health and safety, is always on top of our list. No matter how far or what time, Agata is set to deliver and take responsibility. This is the kind of commitment that we instill among our employees as well as our beneficiary communities,” concluded Assistant GM Anthony Quijano
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