Bicol mining companies extend assistance to their host and neighboring communities as well as to their non-impact communities, during the implementation of the Luzon-wide Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).

This is pursuant to the Memorandum Order issued by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau dated March 27, 2020 authorizing all regional offices to allow mining companies to re-align their total unspent Annual Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) budget for 2019 which was carried over to 2020 to assist the affected impact and non-impact communities in their respective localities during the ECQ due to Covid-19.

The total assistance provided as of April 15, 2020 amounted to Php8,792,744.88 Million from the Realigned SDMPs of Filminera Resources Corporation, located in Brgy. Puro, Aroroy, Masbate shared an amount of Php 1,030,750.00; Phil. Gold Processing and Refining Corp., a gold processing plant in Brgy. Puro, Aroroy, Masbate contributed an amount of Php7, 636,494.88, and Ibalong Resource and Development Corporation also gave Php50,000.00 with 54 households served as of April15, 2020. This also includes the assistance given by Mt Labo Exploration and Development Corporation of Php75,500.00 out of their Corporate Social Responsibility Fund.

FRC gave relief packs, PPE’s, disinfectants to 120 front liners of the Municipality of Aroroy. PGPRC gave relief packs to 6,193 households of the direct impact communities of FRC and PGPRC.

Mt. Labo Exploration and Development Corporation (MLEDC) gave assistance to150 front liners of Daet, Talisay and Labo, Camarines Norte in the form of food packs, PPE’s and disinfectants.

The Realigned SDMP Program is a response of the mining industry to support the Government in addressing the problems that the country is facing particularly medical assistance and daily sustenance during the ECQ.

And together, with this act of “Bayanihan”, We will Heal as One!