TUBA, Benguet—Philex Mining Corp., in keeping with its advocacy to help communities in times of disaster, has donated 100 galvanized iron sheets to three typhoon-hit “Kabayan,” Tublay, and Bokod.
Typhoon “Lawin,” the strongest typhoon in three years to lash northenr Philippines, cut a swathe of destruction and damage to agricultural products.
“It is our pleasure to meet the leaders of other municipalities in our host province,” Roy Mangali, assistant resident manager of Philex Mining’s Padcal operations, in Benguet, said.
He was speaking during a simple turn-over ceremony at the Benguet Congressional District Office in La Trinidad last week .
“Philex adheres to its core values on social and environmental responsibilities not only to its host and neighboring communities but also to others in need,” Mangali said.
The GI sheets shall be divided according to the need of the three towns, which intend to use these to repair the damaged roofs of residential houses and public schools, according to a formal request made by Benguet Rep. Ronald Cosalan to Philex Mining, which has also helped disaster-hit areas in rescue operations nationwide.
“There was no hesitation from Philex Mining when the congressman requested for help,” Peter Guibac, BCDO chief of staff, said at the event attended also by the mayors of the three towns.
“We hope the next donations will be for the advancement of our municipalities, not due to disasters.”
With sustained winds of 225 kms per hour and gusts of 315 kph, “Lawin” struck the country’s Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, and the Cordillera Administrative Region on Oct. 19, when it intensified into a super typhoon two days after it entered the Philippine area of responsibility, damaging P657 million worth of infrastructure and agricultural land.
Amando Lauro, mayor of Tublay, a fifth-class town with a population of about 18,000, thanked Cosalan and Philex Mining, inviting the gold-and-copper producer to his town’s ongoing Am-Am festival, where his constituents gather for a celebration of thanksgiving.
“I can attest that Philex really is a responsible miner because of its compliance to corporate social responsibility beyond what is mandated by law,” said Thomas Wales, Jr., mayor of Bokod, a fourth-class town with a population of almost 14,000.
For his part, Mayor Gideon Todiano, of Kabayan, also a fourth-class town of more than 15,000 people, said, “We are lucky to be one of the beneficiaries of this donation. Philex is, indeed, a responsible mining company that gives help even to municipalities that are miles away from its host communities.”
Mangali said Philex Mining takes pride in being of help to those in need, stressing the company’s multi-awarded Philex Rescue Team has always been at the forefront of search, rescue, and retrieval operations in areas affected by both natural and man-made disasters across the country.
Philex Mining is also proud its host towns of Tuba and Itogon are two of the four first-class towns in Benguet, mostly due to the economic impact of its Padcal operations.
The nine other Benguet towns listed under third, fourth, and fifth economic classes are all into agriculture, while three of the four first-class towns are predominantly mining communities.