In an unprecedented effort to ascertain that determined actions are in order and appropriate, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has directed all its regional offices through Memorandum order dated March 27, 2020 to allow mining companies to re-align their unutilized Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) budget for 2019 which was carried over to 2020 to formulate projects and activities ranging from health, safety, and sanitation that shall assist the affected impact and non-impact communities in their respective localities during the ECQ due to Covid-19.

In order to keep track of the implementation of the re-aligned SDMP and monitor periodic milestones of the SDMP outputs, the following specific programs and/or activities from April 20-24, 2020 as conducted by the concerned mining companies/operators in the Region, are chronicled accordingly to support the affected communities due to Covid-19.

Account of Specific Programs/Activity

Pursuant to Republic Act (RA) No. 11469 or the “ Bayanihan to Heal as One Act”

1. Filminera Resources Corporation

1. COVID Support to Aroroy LGU – Turn-over of 35 pieces thermal guns and 1,000 pieces surgical mask to the Rural Health Unit of Aroroy. These items will be used during their monitoring of temperatures at the checkpoint. Quarantine tent and amenities and face shield are still on order.
2. COVID Emergency Relief Program for the eight impact barangays of FRC – the 398 sacks of rice have already been purchased and safe kept. This will augment the food packs to be provided by PGPRC.
3. Support to Provincial, Municipal LGU and Institutional Entity

• Purchase of rice is on process in support to the families within the different municipalities of the Masbate Province including the Municipality of Aroroy.
• Financial support will be provided to the institutional entities within the Bicol Region who engaged in the COVID-19 related activities.

2. Gold Processing and Refining Corp.

PROGRAM A: COVID-19 Support to Masbate Province and Aroroy LGU (RHU and MDRRMC)

• Support to Rural Health Unit of Aoroy Masbate- Provided 252 gallons of 70% isopropyl alcohol;
• Support to Front liners of Aroroy- Provision of meals assistance for 120 front liners from April 7-13, 2020.
• Support to Masbate Province and Aroroy LGU- There is an additional budget in support to the families in the different municipalities of Masbate Province due to the extension of Enhance Community Quarantine (ECQ). Purchase of additional rice is on process.

PROGRAM B: COVID-19 Emergency Relief Program

These consist of providing emergency relief in the form of food packs to the affected families in the barangays by the continuing ECQ. The following number of families received food packs for the second wave: 270 from Barangay Amoroy, 157 from Barangay Balawing, 556 from Barangay Bangon, 565 from Barangay Capsay, 2,127 from Barangay Puro and 906 from Barangay Syndicate (673 families received foods for 2^nd wave and 233 families for the 1^st wave). Goods for the relief operation were already purchased but the distribution will be done on a weekly basis.

3. Ibalong Resources and Development Corporation

Support to Relief Operations

This consists of providing rice assistance to the households in the impact barangays. The objective of this activity is to assist families during Enhance Community Quarantine. Rice packs (5kgs) were provided to 54 households from Mauraro, Municipality of Guinobatan, Province of Albay. Rice was already purchased and distribution to other identified beneficiaries is ongoing.