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A time of need. Agata Safety Staff Engr. Dexter Cabesas, along with ERT Volunteers, distribute more than 1,000 relief packs at the evacuation centers in the affected communities in Municipality of Magpet and Makilala, Cotabato. The 6.6-magnitude earthquake devastated residents, leaving thousands homeless.
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Taking the lead. Community Relations Superintendent Jonathan Bañez (left) takes the lead in ensuring the proper delivery of relief goods to far-flung communities affected by the earthquake in Cotabato in coordination with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office.
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Supply convoy of TVIRD and Agata that delivered the goods to the affected far-flung areas of Magpet and Makilala, Cotabato.
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Agata’s Doctor and Nurses. Directly from the Agata clinic, Doctor Hwangil S. Lee conducts medical checkups and ensures that proper nutrition through the medicines and vitamins provided by the company.
Volunteer emergency responders and safety staff provide relief goods and shelter in Cotabato
Makilala, Cotabato / November 2019 – After a series of earthquakes hit major areas of Southern Mindanao, particularly Davao and General Santos Cities with the epicenter in North Cotabato, Agata Mining Ventures Inc. sent its elite emergency responders led by Community Relations Superintendent Jonathan Bañez to deliver food and potable water to over 1,000 victims in the municipalities of Magpet and Makilala, Cotabato. Tents were also distributed to hundreds of displaced families in order to provide them with temporary shelter.
The said earthquake was described by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) as ‘destructive,’ leaving more than 50,000 families displaced and with over 7,000 still staying in 47 evacuation centers across Regions XI and XII.
Mining companies across the Caraga Region joined some of the first private sector responders to deliver relief goods to the earthquake victims.
Back at home
Meantime in Agata’s host Barangay Lawigan in Tubay Municipality, the company conducted an impromptu medical mission in the wake of Tropical Depression Ramon. Agata’s Mario Bantasan and Dr. Hwangil S. Lee treated more than 120 patients, mostly children suffering from colds and fever, and provided medicines for various other cases.
Agata operates in the joint municipalities of Tubay, Jabonga and Santiago, which are coastal towns that are prone to natural disasters even prior to the company’s entry. Some of these communities are in geo-hazard zones where life-threatening situations have been experienced by residents.
Since its operations, Agata has extended its assistance beyond its MPSA with the same commitment to its host communities: relief mission during the Surigao Earthquake (2017), Flooding of Lake Mainit for more than a month (2016), Typhoons Basyang and Auring (2016).
In the immediate area, Agata provided relief to more than 2,300 victims. Outside its MPSA, it has reached more than 11,600 patients across Agusan del Norte through joint medical and dental missions with media partners, Bombo Radyo and Radyo Mindanao Network (RMN). Agata has provided medicines and the support of both its Medical and Health and Safety staff.
Safer, more resilient
“We aimed at transforming our hosts into safer and more resilient communities – even better than before Agata operated. If we can keep our communities safe, we know that our operations are safe. We have committed ourselves to this responsibility,” shared GM Emilio T. Figueroa III.
At present, Agata has established eight Community Emergency Response Teams in its host barangays. They are trained in basic rescue drills, disaster management, and provided with both rescue and communications equipment.
“We feel safer now and confident that we can handle possible (emergency) scenarios. We are also thankful that Agata’s medical support and responders are always consistent and available to our remote community,” said Hon. Nilo Mordeno, Barangay Captain of Lawigan in Tubay.
Emergency response
“We introduced a culture of volunteerism across the ranks – be they office or field-based employees, even contractors. We engaged everyone in our Safety Olympics every year,” according to Assistant GM Anthony Quijano’s under whose leadership the Agata Emergency Response Team (ERT) was formed.
“We believe that if we can train elite responders from the communities, we know we have left a life-saving legacy for our communities,” he added.
The company has more than 80 trained personnel. Among them are the elite responders who bagged the Fire Brigade Championship Title during the 2019 Field Safety Competition of the 5th Caraga Mining Symposium held in Surigao City.
This month, they will also defend their Fire Brigade Championship Title at the upcoming 66th Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference’s Field Safety Competition in Bagiuo City.
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