Small businesses bloom in Sta. Maria

Villagers in TVIRD’s port facility see better days ahead

The sound of the waves on the shore and the cool sea breeze
always wake Saji Alih before the break of dawn. The lone imam (Muslim priest)
of Sta. Maria, a seaside village in Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte, has to prepare
his small variety store for the day. His family’s only source of income
should be presentable for his fellow villagers who earn their keep through fishing
and farming.

These days Imam Alih has good reasons to smile. Since TVI Resource
Development Philippines, Inc. (TVIRD) began constructing a warehouse and other
facilities in his village in November last year, his family business has improved.
In addition, other small entrepreneurs are beginning to set up shop in anticipation
of the company’s increased presence in the area.

Ed Nercuit, himself a Muslim and manager of TVIRD’s Civil
Engineering Services unit that oversees the warehouse construction, says the
company hired 119 workers in Sta. Maria and nearby Barangay Matiag. Of this
number, 81 are Muslims and the rest are Subanons, Kolibugans (mixed Muslim and
Subanon) and Christians – the cultural groups that comprise Siocon town.

The Subanons are members of an indigenous tribe whose ancestral
domain in Canatuan – a mountain barangay in the mountainous eastern portion
of Siocon – hosts TVIRD’s sulphide (copper-zinc) mining operations.
The Sta. Maria warehouse will form part of TVIRD’s logistical chain, which
includes the port facility in this village where copper concentrates will be
loaded for shipment, beginning early 2009.

“I’m glad the Sulphide Project of the company has
begun,” says Imam Alih. “The coming of construction workers here
has improved business in our village. Our income store has increased considerably.
In fact, our village now has six stores from only two before the building of
the warehouse.”

Salvador Muarip, the village chief, also noted this development:
“Many of my constituents were hired by the company. This lessened my problem
on unemployment and improved the peace and order situation in our barangay.”

The imam’s store is strategically located in front of
the construction project, which explains why his sales are a bit better compared
with the other stores at the port. But he says everybody will share in the benefits
of good business once TVIRD begins its copper shipments, which only means more
people will come to Sta. Maria.
“And more business and job opportunities for my people,” Muarip
adds.

Before these developments, Imam Alih observed that family’s
incomes were already decreasing in their village, which was reflected in his
store’s decreasing sales. He was beginning to worry that soon, his family
would not have enough to make both ends meet. After all, most of the people
in his village only depended on the farm and the sea for livelihood. Only a
few were fortunate to have been employed by the municipal government. Things
just turned for the better since the warehouse construction began.

Another small entrepreneur, Sharna Salam, thanked the company
for coming into her barangay. She said businesses like eateries and videoke
(video karaoke) bars sprouted in Sta. Maria, along with the increased number
of habal-habal (passenger motorcycles).

Reynalda Autida, whose husband cannot catch fish for a living
anymore after suffering a stroke, says improved store sales has helped in providing
for their family’s daily needs. “Now I can buy the medicines my
husband badly needs,” she says.

Sta. Maria is home to the more than 2,000 Muslims belonging
to the Maguindanao, Samal and Kalibugans tribes. Many in the village believe
that economic growth will continue if other companies like TVIRD will also establish
presence in the area. They have heard how the Subanons of Canatuan and its neighboring
communities have been enjoying the benefits of socio-economic development made
possible because of the company’s firm commitment to profit with honor
and sustainable development, and expressed through its responsible mining practices.

Imam Alih had just finished displaying his goods when his
first customer, a construction worker, approached his store to buy bread. It
looks like it’s going to be another good day for business. (Raymond Acopiado
and Lullie Micabalo)