Agata environmental awareness takes the path towards inclusive sustainable development
Tubay, Agusan del Norte / May 2018 – Key officers, field office staff and personnel of Agata Mining Ventures Inc. (AMVI) once again joined over one billion worldwide in the global observance of Earth Day 2018 at the company’s mine site in this municipality, Agusan del Norte Province. The daylong event aimed to raise awareness on re-establishing a common roadmap for long-term environmental protection, as enshrined in its theme: Environmental Awareness: Rebuilding the Path Towards Holistic Sustainable Development.
Earth Day is a global event observed in 192 countries and is the “largest civic-focused day of action in the world,” according to the Earth Day Network. Since it brought operations on-stream in 2014, Agata employees have commemorated the event yearly in the spirit of camaraderie among company personnel and its hired contractors.
A day of observance
At daybreak, the commemoration kicked-off with a Zumba workout routine led by Agata’s Emergency Response Team (ERT) to warm up-the seven different teams. This was followed by the ceremonial lighting of the torch by General Manager Emil Figueroa and the oath reading led by Vice President Edsel Abrasaldo – which signaled the official start of the Earth Day observance.
The event was also graced by Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Region 13 Forester Enjie P. Cañete, who also served as a judge for the different events and as the quiz master for the Quiz Bowl that followed.
This year’s Agata Amazing Race was by far the most challenging and exciting in all the four years that the company has commemorated Earth Day. Across 14 stations scattered along a 3.5-kilometer route from the field office down to a distant outpost, each team was able to perform specific environment-related tasks assigned to a particular station.
Several competitions were also conducted throughout the day: dish gardening, poster-making and the Quiz Bowl that pitted each team’s knowledge of Agata’s environmental programs against each other. Participants also submitted audio-video presentation (AVP) entries that focused on the company’s Earth Day theme.
Finally, the teams also showcased their entries for the furniture-making contest, which utilized recyclable materials like rubber tires, and crafted practical and stylish home furniture.
Breaking bread
In keeping with tradition – and underscoring their sense of community – Agata employees shared a dinner banquet and program to culminate the daylong event.
Also as traditionally staged by field staff, Agata’s Mr. and Ms. Earth Day 2018 showcased their individual talents and responded during the question and answer portion while clad in uniquely-designed costumes made from recycled indigenous materials.
Earth Day message
“It is difficult to give an inspiring message at this point because I can see that all of you are already inspired,” said GM Figueroa during his closing remarks. “In fact, I am not here to inspire you. I am here to tell you that you are our inspiration.”
Assistant GM Anthony Quijano also shared his own reflection during the ceremonies: “The biggest advantage of Agata is that we started with the end in mind. Everything that we do now is projected towards the future – and when we conclude our operations – we know what we will be handing-over to the community. We are making a name for ourselves not just in terms of efficient operations, but also with respect to the environment.
While the company commemorates Earth Day annually, it fulfils the spirit of observance every day through waste segregation, energy conservation and constantly reminding employees to follow environmental rules and regulations.
“With our mandate to uphold the protection of the environment, and especially in line with the executive order issued by President Duterte ordering all mining companies to shape up, we can say that Agata is on the right track, as it has been doing right from the very start. As leader of the multi-partite monitoring team, I have also seen how responsive the management is when it comes to our recommendations,” concluded MGB Forester Cañete.
Outstanding performance
In November 2017, Agata was recognized for upholding the Philippine mining industry’s highest safety and environmental standards during the 64th Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference (ANMSEC) at Baguio City where it was conferred the Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award (PMIEA-Platinum) in the Surface Mining Operation Category and the Best Mining Forest Award (2nd Runner Up) in the Metallic Mining Operation Category.
To date, around 220,000 seedlings have been planted by the company and an additional 360,000 seedlings are currently available at its Agroland Nursery. These are prepped for planting in Agata’s mined-out areas and along riverbanks and watersheds in host barangays to restore and enhance the greenery as well as improve soil stability.
Additionally, the company’s coral relocation and coastal resource management program is the first in the region and was previously recognized with an Outstanding Performance Award by the DENR.
Agata’s partnership with the national government’s flagship National Greening Program also resulted in the reforestation of some 94.92 hectares. The company’s environmental programs alone have employed over 100 local residents in the second half of 2017.
Moreover, since 2010, Agata adopted the 29-kilometer Kalinawan River – which is considered the cleanest inland body of water in CARAGA region – and which the company regularly cleans and plants trees in, most notably during Earth Day celebrations.
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