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Healthcare as a means for social justice. Agata Mining believes that the private sector should do its share in preserving the dignity of the disadvantaged and the marginalized in society – a thrust that it shares with mission partners, RMN and Bombo Radyo. (Above 2014 file photo): Agata provides medical assistance to over 550 beneficiaries in Barangays Tinigbasan and Lawigan in host Tubay Municipality.
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Bombo Medico 2019. Agata Liaison Officer Genome Fortun and Bombo Radyo Station Manager Benjie Balansag inspect medicines for distribution to patients in Butuan City. The simultaneous nationwide mission reaches more than 900,000 patients through partner agencies and the private sector.
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RMN Medical Mission. DXBC Station Manager Ramil Bangues facilitates the distribution of much-needed medicines to indigent patients during every RMN medical mission in Butuan City. The Agata-supported mission reaches over 1,000 beneficiaries from within the Caraga Region every year – most of whom are children. (2017 Agata file photo)
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Agata Emergency Response Team. Agata volunteer employees and ERT members are always present to assist preliminary medical check-ups and providing care to physically-disabled and elderly patients during medical missions.
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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. They comprise majority of the 200+ patients in Barangay Lawigan, Tubay Municipality during a recent mission. (2018 Agata file photo)
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All systems go. Five years ago – despite intermittent weather – the seven-day loading operations of nickel ore at the Agata project was ahead of schedule, casting-off its first completed shipment on Sunday, 19 October 2014. (2014 Agata file photo)
Agata marks its fifth year in operations with media partners Bombo Radyo and RMN
Butuan City, Agusan del Norte / October 2019 – For the 5th year in a row – also since bringing its operations on-stream in Tubay, Jabonga and Santiago Municipalities of this province – Agata has consistently provided much-needed medicines and medical services to the respective humanitarian missions of its regional media partners, benefiting over 2,000 recipients during this year’s roll-out.
Held annually in capital Butuan City, the Bombo Medico and Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) Medical and Dental Missions jointly reach up to 4,100 people every year. And after five years of their continued partnership with Agata, both missions have provided care to an estimated 11,600 beneficiaries to date.
Bombo Medico
Marking its founding anniversary in 2019, the nationwide Bombo Medico benefitted more than 1,100 patients in Butuan City alone. From 7AM onwards, volunteer doctors and dentists provided consultations and extractions for 104 patients while free check-ups and medicines were provided for various patient cases: 205 Internal Medicine, 153 Cardiovascular, 130 Pulmonary, 133 Pediatric, 57 OB-gynecology and 50 ENT.
The mission likewise conducted various tests for its patients: 10 HIV, 55 Prostate Screening, 55 Uric Acid, 55 Cyst screening tests as well as eight (8) cyst operations were conducted on-site during the whole-day activity. Other than the medical services, indigent and physically-disabled patients also received free canes and crutches.
As the mission drew more than 3,000 patients and volunteers, the Agata Emergency Response Team conducted a basic workshop on first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The award-winning team is comprised of experienced responders who have been conducting trainings in its communities.
“Agata’s consistent commitment to support Bombo’s nationwide medical mission is a testament to its local and national awards. Their presence as medics and conducting safety demos to young volunteers further opens a brighter side of a responsible mining company to the public,” said Station Manager Benjie Balansag
Butuan City School of Arts and Trades (BCSAT) Teacher Marineil E. Pedrosa, adviser of senior high school student volunteers, also shared that, “It’s a relief that a mining company like Agata extends its presence, teaching us basic first aid… it inspires volunteerism among the young.”
A feeding program for more than 1,000 people, free therapeutic massages and haircuts, and even vaccinations for pets concluded a well-rounded outreach for local beneficiaries.
RMN Medical Mission
Shortly after Bombo’s monumental initiative, RMN also rolled-out its 67th Anniversary Medical Mission, which received over 1,000 beneficiary-patients and for whom it provided more than 500 treatments. It also served 160 dental patients and provided free physical therapy, haircuts and prescription eyeglasses to a combined 300+ recipients.
To date – and in addition to Agata – RMN continues to receive the strong support of government and socio-civic organizations: Department of Health, Butuan City Health Office, Agusan del Norte Provincial Health Office, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Eagles Club, Philippine Medical Association, and Philippine Dental Association.
Five years and onwards
Since the Agata Nickel Project came on-stream in 2014, the company has positioned itself to join the ranks of major nickel producers in the country. And in attributing its success, the company continues to be guided by its philosophy of “starting it right and keeping the end in mind” – which is an integration of both its business, environmental and social objectives.
Also since then, the company has conducted several medical missions in its mining communities – which provided immediate care, medicines and free consultations to more than 2,700 beneficiaries since 2014.
The Agata Clinic likewise provides free medical check-ups and medicines to its workers and community residents as the company remains a solid partner of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and the Philippine National Red Cross.
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