TVIRD donates computers to Siocon National High School
John Ridsdel, TVI Pacific Corporate Advisor, (extreme left) and Shogun Villanueva, TVI Canatuan Mine OIC, (second from right) tour SouthCom Chief Lt. Gen. Edilberto Adan and Mindanao Affairs Sec. Jesus Dureza (in orange shirt) at the mine site, as MGB Region 9 Director Constancio Paye, Jr. (extreme right) looks on.
Mindanao Development Secretary Jesus Dureza acknowledged TVI Resource Development (Phils.), Inc.’s (TVIRD) significant role in the development of Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte in Mindanao during ceremonies marking the turnover of the newly improved Sta. Maria Port – funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in cooperation with Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) — to Siocon town officials last November 9.
TVIRD, an affiliate of TVI Pacific, Inc., sees the Sta. Maria Port as an ideal shipping point for the zinc and copper concentrates the company expects to extract in late 2006 from the its Canatuan Project some 27 kilometers from Siocon town. Recent metallurgical testwork on bulk copper- and zinc-bearing ore samples from Canatuan is encouraging, and a Feasibility Study currently underway will be completed in early 2006.
Sec. Dureza, who chairs the Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCO), told attendees at the turnover ceremonies led by US Charges d’Affairs Paul Jones and Siocon Mayor Ceasar Soriano that TVIRD, is a “prime mover” in Siocon’s quest to become one of Mindanao’s gateways to the global community, the company being the municipality’s top taxpayer and employer. TVIRD’s plan to use the Sta. Maria Port for its shipping requirements, he added, complements the MEDCO-GEM strategy of developing Siocon as Western Mindanao’s transshipment hub that will serve commercial and passenger vessels going to and from progressive cities in the Philippines such as Cebu and Manila.
TVIRD also primes the regional economy with purchases of various supplies and services from across Mindanao.
The Sta. Maria Port event was followed by the USAID turnover of 10 internet-linked computers to the Siocon National High School (SNHS) as part of the agency’s Computer Literacy and Internet Connectivity (CLIC) program in the Philippines. During the turnover rites at the school computer room, John Ridsdel, TVI Pacific Corporate Advisor, announced the company’s pledge to donate an additional five computers to SNHS, which was greeted enthusiastically by school officials.
The announcement signaled the acceleration of TVIRD’s involvement in the promotion of education in Siocon, on top of the education program the company already implements in Canatuan. TVIRD helped in the construction and improvement of the Canatuan Elementary School, and has hired additional teachers for all children in the community. It has also provided school equipment, facilities and supplies; sponsored older children to boarding school in Siocon; as well as provided free childcare services for 3-5 year old children. Moreover, the company holds adult literacy classes, which include health and life-skills education for students 18 to 80 years of age.
Ridsdel then accompanied Sec. Dureza and Armed Forces of the Philippines Southern Command Chief Lt. General Edilberto Adan, together with delegates from the United Nations Development Program, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, MEDCO and AFP, to a tour of TVIRD’s Canatuan Project.
Sec. Dureza commented that the Project now “looks like a resort” compared to what it was when he first visited the site in November 2004. He praised TVIRD for the development initiatives it has undertaken in Canatuan.
Lt. Gen. Adan, for his part, assured TVIRD of the AFP’s continued support in ensuring security for the project and its host Subanon IP community.