Dad’s proud moment: Farmer Richard Dillera witnesses his eldest son, Charlie, graduate from Mindanao State University with a degree in Environmental Science — a milestone made possible by years of sacrifice, and support from TVIRD's scholarship program.
Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur / September 2026 – For every graduation cap thrown into the air, there is often a story of sacrifice and quiet determination behind it. For farmer Richard Dillera, 51, his eldest son’s graduation is more than a celebration—it is a culmination of years of hard work and a dream nurtured through hardship.
Richard has spent much of his life working the land to provide for his family. Like many rice farmers of Barangay Dipili in Bayog Municipality, he understands the challenges of making ends meet while ensuring that his child will have opportunities he may not have had. Yet despite the financial demands of everyday life, he remained committed to giving Charlie a better future through education.
For Charlie, there was his father who toiled in the fields so he could pursue his studies. There was his family that held on to hope. And there was support from TVI Resource Development Philippines Inc. (TVIRD) whose scholarship program helped make the journey a little easier.
Celebrating a milestone
Richard’s commitment bore fruit when Charlie earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science from Mindanao State University (Buug Campus) in Zamboanga Sibugay. As a farmer, he knows firsthand the hardship that come with sending a child to college. He is grateful that the company’s scholarship assistance helped made Charlie’s educational pursuit more manageable.
“As a farmer, providing for Charlie‘s daily needs and school expenses would have been a great challenge for me. TVIRD’s assistance greatly eased the burden and gave him the opportunity to focus on his studies without worries,” expressed Richard, thankful for the company’s assistance.
For the Dillera family, Charlie’s graduation represents the fulfillment of a dream built over years of perseverance.
A commitment to education
For TVIRD – operator of the Balabag Gold and Silver Project in nearby Bayog – supporting students like Charlie is part of its commitment to carving opportunities for young people and strengthening the communities where it operates.
Through its scholarship program, the company endeavors to help deserving students pursue and complete their education, particularly those whose families are facing financial challenges. The program reflects the company’s belief that education can open doors, build confidence, and help young people contribute meaningfully to their families and society. Moreover, it is an investment in a student’s potential and in the future of the community.
Charlie’s graduation also represents the possibilities that the TVIRD scholarship program hopes for: families given hope, students completing their studies, and communities benefiting from equipping young people with knowledge and skills.
A social investment
Charlie's story reflects a much larger social investment that has already yielded positive returns. Through its Social Development and Management Program, TVIRD supports 18 scholars, including MSU-Buug mining students among whom three have already graduated and one is now employed.
TVIRD also funded school repairs, materials, and other projects benefiting thousands of students, with education initiatives totaling ₱32.45 million from 2019 to 2026.
The company's investment also extends to livelihood trainings across four barangays: 28 training programs have produced 735 graduates in agriculture, livestock, enterprise development, and more, including its Sidlak Demo Farm – a recognized learning site for agriculture under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund program. Meanwhile, livelihood initiatives represent approximately ₱43.6 million in investments from 2019 to 2026—reflecting TVIRD's broader commitment to building lasting opportunities in the community.
