For maintaining strong labor-management and community relations
The government’s Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Region 9 recently awarded TVI Resource Development Philippines Inc. (TVIRD) the Outstanding Employer of Zamboanga del Norte (Industrial category) award in recognition of its leadership in the advocacy of harmonious relationship between management and labor and sincere implementation of its corporate social commitment programs that benefitted the poor in the province.
The award was conferred upon TVIRD by DOLE Regional Director Ponciano Ligutom in Dipolog City, the Zamboanga del Norte provincial capital, as part of the culminating activities for the 109th celebration of Labor Day. TVIRD’s Canatuan General Manager Ely Valmores and Finance Department Manager Jimmy Guillermo received the award in behalf of the company. TVIRD operates a copper-zinc mining facility in Canatuan, a mountain village in Siocon municipality.
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Top left photo shows TVIRD Canatuan Finance Manager Jimmy Guillermo and General Manager Ely Valmores listening to DOLE Region 9 Director Ponciano Ligutom in right photo during the latter’s speech, wherein he encouraged other companies in the Zamboanga del Norte province to follow the example set by TVIRD and three other companies that were conferred the Outstanding Employer award. In middle photo, TVIRD employees listen to Valmores in a meeting at the Canatuan mine. Below, a TVIRD dentist attends to a Muslim woman from one of the company’s impact communities in Siocon.
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Three other companies also received the award: Katipunan Bank (for the banking and lending sector), Lee Plaza (retail and services) and Zaragoza Sardines (manufacturing).
“DOLE is proud to give the award to these companies not only because they have contributed a lot for the betterment of their host communities, but also because in the course of doing their businesses they showed deep concern for the welfare of their workers,” Ligutom said during the awarding ceremonies whose theme, “Matuwid na daan tungo sa kaunlaran para sa lahat” (Straight path towards progress for all), echoed one of the battle cries of President Benigno Aquino III during the election campaign last year.
“May other companies that operate in the province follow what these awardees are doing, because they are helping change the image of our country,” Ligutom said.
He also explained the criteria for the award: promotion of good labor-management relationship and implementation of programs and projects that are beneficial to the community.
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Above left, Subanon Chieftain Timuay Jose “Boy” Anoy and right, Siocon Councilor Boboy Soriano, Jr. are all praises for TVIRD’s social development initiatives that have benefitted both the indigenous peoples of Canatuan and the citizens of Siocon. TVIRD’s health, education, infrastructure and livelihood projects have greatly improved our lives,” Timuay Anoy says. Below, TVIRD employees maintaining the road from Canatuan to Siocon.
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“We religiously studied the performance of the nominees so we could come up with awardees that really deserve to receive the outstanding employer award,” he related. “We are happy that all of them were able to show sterling performance and integrity. All believe that happy and contented employees are the most productive ones in the company and community.”
“TVIRD takes pride in being the highest paying employer in the province and in providing employee benefits and privileges beyond what is mandated by law,” Valmores said. “We believe that the primary asset of a successful company is its people.
“TVIRD’s corporate social commitment programs encourage participation of both employees and beneficiaries, and promote transparency and accountability for implementers and partner communities,” he added. “We are committed to abide by the principles of responsible mining in the pursuit of sustainable development wherever we operate.”
The news that the company was conferred the outstanding employer award was warmly greeted by Siocon Sangguniang Bayan Member (Councilor) Constantino “Boboy” Soriano, Jr. “I am happy and proud that TVIRD got the award,” he said. “I am actually not surprised, because being your neighbor, I know how well you take care of your employees.”
Aware that TVIRD is Siocon’s biggest taxpayer and has helped the local government in curbing the town’s unemployment problem, Soriano authored the municipal council resolution that endorsed the company for the much-coveted award.
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Above, TVIRD Canatuan Mine Manager Pete Remoto (third from right) with employees during a recent tree-planting activity near the Canatuan Mine. Below, the presence of the kalaw (rufous hornbills, shown here in middle of photo) attest to TVIRD’s effective environmental management and protection program in Siocon.
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“We endorsed TVIRD to express our appreciation for the company’s implementation of social services for Siocon residents, especially in the maintenance of the 20-kilometer Canatuan-Siocon road and the 50-kilometer Canatuan-RT Lim road,” he said. “The well-maintained roads not only help Siocon farmers in bringing their produce to the town proper, but also in providing convenience to residents who can now easily travel to Dipolog city to the north and Zamboanga City to the south.”
TVIRD started its mining operation in Canatuan, the ancestral land of the Subanons. in mid-2004. The company has been enjoying the overwhelmingsupport of the Subanon community as well as the local government unit under the leadership Mayor Ceasar Soriano, who likewise endorsed TVIRD to the DOLE awards committee.
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Above left, TVIRD Vice President for Social Commitments Renne Subido with Siocon Mayor Ceasar Soriano. Below, TVIRD’s effective tailings, erosion, and reforestation program has insured that Siocon remains one of the top rice producers of Zamboanga del Norte.
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“I am endorsing the company because of its unselfish support for the town of Siocon through its Social Development Management Program (SDMP), which features programs and projects that benefit my poor constituents.” Soriano said. The mayor specifically mentioned the company’s monthly medical missions in the barangays of his municipality, including the farthest and the most isolated ones.
Timuay Jose “Boy” Anoy, chieftain of the Subanon tribe of the host community of Canatuan congratulated the company for receiving the award. “We are happy TVIRD received that award, which shows that the government recognizes the basic services the company has been providing our tribe. TVIRD’s health, education, and livelihood projects have greatly improved our lives,” he said.
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While Forester Gemma Tolentino (left photo) of the TVIRD Canatuan Environment Department takes care of the health of the Mother Earth, Dr. Jayson dela Cruz (right photo) attends the health needs of a mother and child at the TVIRD Canatuan Clinic. “TVIRD truly deserves the Outstanding Employer award,” Tolentino says.
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As owners of the land, the Subanon tribe receives royalty from the company aside from the benefits it is enjoying through the SDMP. Aside from being given the priority during job hiring, professional members of the tribe also hold responsible positions in the company. Gemma Dandana-Tolentino, one of the longest-staying employees in TVIRD’s Canatuan operations, is company forester. Cynthia Comisas-Lacpao, who passed last year the Nurses Licensure Board Examinations, on the other hand, is a nurse at the company clinic.
“When I decided to apply as forester, I thought I should be in the company so I can help protect Siocon and Canatuan’s environment,” Tolentino said. “I am convinced I made the right decision because our proposals at the Environment Department on rehabilitation and revegetation are supported by the company.
“TVIRD truly deserves the Outstanding Employer award,” she added. “Our company diligently and sincerely implements its corporate social commitment initiatives not only for Christians and Subanons, but also for our Muslim brothers and sisters in Siocon. I am sure everybody is happy and contented with the company. Even the new hires feel the same. TVIRD takes good care of its employees and their families. It matches words with actions.” (Lullie Micabalo)
