Kahlil Pope Tabernero’s story of forming lasting relationships in Siana’s communities
Building communities: Kahlil leads Greenstone’s community efforts in order to foster peace and improve the quality of life in Siana.Makati City / June 2026 – In communities where mining is often spoken of as development – and development is spoken of as a necessity – the arrival of company representatives is rarely met with certainty. More often, it is met with caution; impressions shaped by past experiences and long-held memories.
This is the kind of environment that Kahlil Pope Tabernero, Community Relations Manager of TVI Resource Development Philippines Inc. (TVIRD), has learned to work in across the company’s Agata, Balabag, and Siana projects. Over time, he has learned a simple but enduring principle: that development only works when it is done in partnership with the communities, and not for them. Not as a slogan, but as a way of doing the work – through dialogue, patience, and shared decisions.
The life that led him here
“I grew up surrounded by people who were deeply involved in serving communities,” he said, tracing his path to a childhood already shaped by public service and advocacy work.
That early influence later met the reality of working in communities with different histories of development – some positive, some painful, and several bearing a mix of both. For him, this is where the idea of working “with” communities becomes important. It means not deciding everything for them but understanding their concerns and involving them in decisions that affect their lives as well as that of the natural environment.
He also works closely with Indigenous Peoples communities, where culture and tradition are not just considerations but central to every discussion. “There were moments when decisions had to be made under great uncertainty, and not everyone could be satisfied despite the company’s best efforts,” he said. In these situations, he learned that you cannot simply impose solutions. You have to work through them together.
Building trust over time
For Tabernero, trust is not something that is immediately obtained. But rather, it is built gradually over time. “Trust is built through actions and respect for people’s life experiences and culture,” he said.
In practice, this means showing up repeatedly, especially in places where people doubt your sincerity because of their past experiences. And in addition to explaining plans, people need to witness consistency over time before they believe in what you are saying.
He likewise learned that listening is active work – giving people the time and opportunity to speak without rushing them towards quick answers.
A quiet sacrifice
But this kind of work also comes at a personal sacrifice visible only to those who serve.
He shared that there have been missed birthdays, holidays, and family occasions because the community’s needs come first. It is a quiet trade-off that comes with being present in the field – being there for the community often means being away from home.
In April 2026, a motorcycle accident briefly stopped his fieldwork. During his recovery, he experienced the same system he usually works within, but from the other side. This time, as someone needing care.
He expressed that the support he received from family, colleagues, and TVIRD management left an indelible mark on him. “They (colleagues) treated me like family,” he said.
Beyond deliverables
For him, the most meaningful results are the small, lasting developments that endure the test of time: students who graduate through scholarships, livelihood programs that evolve into legitimate enterprise, and communities who gradually gain independence from the company’s support and pursue their own path to self-determination.
These are signs that programs have gained the proper momentum.
“Cultural strength, patience, and determination are constant reminders that community development is not something done for them, but with them,” he underscored.
Inside TVIRD, he describes an environment shaped by mentorship, and where managers guide their personnel. For him, this kind of support is important in a job that can be emotionally and physically demanding. In the end, what stays with him are the relationships built over time.
“Projects eventually end, but relationships remain,” he said. And for him, that is what “working with communities” truly means.
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