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Community Service. An Army Reserve Command volunteer hands out free prescribed medicines to one of several beneficiaries during the RMN Mission 2015 – the network’s annual humanitarian activity in Butuan, Agusan del Norte.
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Wellness and happiness. AMVI Company Nurse Jimmy Ceballos shares a light moment with an RMN Mission participant while recording her vital signs and health information.
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Mother and child received prescription medicines along with several other beneficiaries during the RMN Mission.
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Well-stocked. RMN Butuan Personnel carefully sort-out prescription medicines prior to distribution among the mission’s beneficiaries.
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RMN staff along with volunteers from the Philippine Army Reserve Command distribute medicines at the Butuan City Covered Gymnasium.
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A volunteer dentist from the Philippine National Police Regional Office XIII prepares for dental examination and minor surgery.
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Goodbye tooth decay. Butuan City’s residents receive free medical and dental services at the RMN Mission 2015.
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AMVI delegates and RMN Butuan Station Manager Ramil Bangues conclude another successful RMN Mission.
AMVI-supported RMN Mission successfully offered over 15 medical and general wellness services
Butuan City, Agusan del Norte / October 2015 – Marking its second consecutive year of partnering with Radio Mindanao Network (RMN), Agata Mining Ventures Inc. (AMVI) once again sent its dedicated personnel to support DXBC RMN Mission 2015 in support of the radio station’s annual humanitarian effort to uplift community health and wellness at the Agusan del Norte Provincial Capitol. The event, which marks the network’s 63rd founding anniversary, was held last 27 August 2015 at the Butuan City Covered Gymnasium. AMVI assumed major sponsorship for the activity and donated essential medicines through its mission partner, Sociedad Española de Beneficencia Inc. (SEB-Manila) – a charitable institution dedicated to the care of both Spanish and Filipino indigents in the country.
The mission was also supported by the Agusan del Norte Medical Society, Philippine Dental Association (PDA), Philippine National Red Cross (PRC), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine National Police Regional Office XIII (PNP RO 13), Philippine Army Reserve Command (ResCom), local government units and commercial sponsors of RMN.
AMVI’s delegation teamed-up with RMN in providing the highest recorded number of free health services as well as sanitation and general community services to citizens in and around Butuan City. This year, the mission went far beyond the standard medical and dental services to include pediatric, blood-pressure, cholesterol, heart-rate and eye check-ups along with ear cleaning, sugar screening, diabetes testing, circumcision – and in other areas – also free haircuts, therapeutic massages, prescription of reading glasses, feeding and nutrition and even veterinary services. Beneficiaries on motorbikes were even provided free motorcycle diagnostic services by a workshop partner.
The mission also encouraged volunteers and beneficiaries alike to donate blood through proper screening and validation by the Philippine National Red Cross. Proponents likewise promoted the various health benefits of donating blood on a regular basis.
Holistic public service
“RMN’s Mission is not confined to just the standard medical and dental services along with distributing free medicines as prescribed by doctors. We believe that any free service, as long as it can benefit the community in terms of public service, goes well with the promotion of public health, personal hygiene and general social wellbeing,” said RMN Butuan Station Manager Ramil Bangues at the height of the medical mission.
“We are even open to offer a job fair on the sidelines of the event if given the opportunity to do so,” Bangues added as he explained the guiding philosophy of the annual RMN Mission, which covers 33 areas nationwide from the Baguio region up north, down to the Zamboanga Peninsula in the island region of Mindanao.
AMVI and RMN’s shared commitment to combine various social services to elevate the community dovetails with the company’s roll-out of its health and sanitation programs in Tubay, Santiago and Jabonga Municipalities where it operates. These comprise AMVI’s holistic social development program that includes education, livelihood and infrastructure projects that are tailor-fit to enhance the community’s available resources and harness their skills.
Exceeding Expectations
In 2014, the RMN medical and dental mission reached over 1,000 beneficiaries in Butuan and more than 27,000 nationwide. With the addition of more services this year, RMN doubled its beneficiaries in Butuan – adding to a total of over 40,000 recorded beneficiaries nationwide.
The mission recorded fever, asthma, hypertension, diabetes and anemia among the top five diagnosed health conditions among patients who availed of medical consultations during the event. Meanwhile, dental services recorded a high number of cavities and tooth decays that are attributed to poor personal hygiene and sanitary conditions topped with habitual cigarette smoking and excessive alcohol intake. Nevertheless, RMN’s various services and sufficient medical and dental supplies ensured that all beneficiaries received proper medical attention to address their immediate health concerns.
“On behalf of RMN Butuan, I would like to give the station’s utmost gratitude and appreciation to AMVI and Sociedad Española de Beneficencia Inc. for their full support and valuable contribution to the success of RMN’s mission this year and we hope to get the same support in years to come,” concludes Ramil Bangues.
AMVI’s strategic partnership with government and non-government organizations geared towards meaningful community and social development programs is inspired by it lead joint venture partner, TVI Resource Development Philippines Inc. (TVIRD), which draws from its responsible mining practices in the Zamboanga Peninsula and which has elevated the living standards of various tribal and non-tribal communities in Siocon Municipality.
AMVI is a joint venture between Mindoro Resources Ltd. (MRL) and TVIRD, which operates the Agata Project. The joint venture aims to move forward, initially with high iron and nickel laterite direct shipping ore (DSO) operations that is expected to usher increased economic activity and employment in its host municipalities.
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