Supporting the DENR’s country-wide Ocean Month awareness activities
Tubay, Agusan del Norte / June 2014 – In observance of the “Month of the Ocean” – and in anticipation of Philippine Environment Month, as per Proclamation 237 – Agata Mining Ventures Inc. (AMVI) organized a team of more than 100 volunteers to conduct a day-long coastal clean-up activity in Sitio Payongpayong, Barangay Tinigbasan in the municipality of Tubay. The initiative also comes in strong support of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) programs to channel the public’s attention to the protection and conservation of the country’s natural resources. During the activity, the company was able to collect and dispose of close to 1.0 metric ton of garbage and other debris along Payongpayong’s 460-meter coastline.
Ridge-to-reef approach
“It is AMVI’s environmental mandate to also cultivate a strong partnership with its immediate communities and support the Government’s programs. And Ocean Month is one of the most highly-participated activities commemorated by the company,” said Environment Manager Jesalyn Guingguing.
Given the region’s terrain, the company adapted the DENR’s “Ridge-to-Reef” approach in managing its impact area, which incorporates reforestation in mountainous and rolling areas and protection of the marine environment.
To date, and prior to actual mining operations, the company has planted 110 thousand trees across 110 hectares in the area – garnering the distinction of the country’s Best Mining Forest for two consecutive years (2012 and 2013). This is in addition to social programs and infrastructure that have mobilized progress in the surrounding communities.
AMVI is a joint venture of Mindoro Resources Ltd. (MRL) and TVI Resource Development Philippines Inc. (TVIRD), which operates the Agata Project. The joint venture holds the 4,995-hectare Mineral Processing Sharing Agreement (MPSA) area that spans the municipalities of Tubay, Santiago and Jabonga.
Programs that promote volunteerism
“The coastal clean-up activity is aimed at awakening local consciousness in becoming a steward of the environment through pro-active involvement in the company’s programs. It also highlights the community’s cooperation in the conservation, protection and sustainable management of our coastal and ocean resources,” said Guingguing.
Strong local support was demonstrated by close to 100 Payongpayong residents and key participants from the DENR’s Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Cabadbaran. CENRO delegates are led by Mr. Vincent Estopito who delivered a short lecture on the Ocean Month’s theme and the essence of the celebration.
AMVI, on its part, provided a brief discussion on the result of the company’s in-house water quality monitoring. The activity also received active participation from the Barangay Council of Tinigbasan.
Navigating ahead
The celebration culminated in a boat race participated in by married couples from the community.
“This cultural practice in Sitio Payongpayong is also held during fiestas to signify the people’s indebtedness to the abundance of the sea,” explained Guingguing, that the livelihood of the community is sourced mostly from fishing.
A Budol Feast (a communal banquet) was also hosted by AMVI to foster solidarity between the company and the participants. It observes a local tradition of a community sharing a meal as a symbol of harmonious cooperation to achieve a common goal.
AMVI is a 60/40 joint venture project of TVIRD and MRL. The TVIRD-led project bears a solid foundation for the company to move forward, initially through a proposed high iron and limestone direct shipping ore (DSO) operation, followed by the construction of a nickel processing plant by 2015.
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