THE Mansaka Tribal Council of Magnaga recently received the funds agreed to as part of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that the King-King Copper-Gold Project (KGCP) committed for their livelihood and social services program. The P1-million cheque could not have come in a more opportune time-during the Yuletide season.

Melindo Lee, tribal chieftain of Barangay Magnaga, received the check from Clyde Gillespie with KGCP fulfilling a commitment provided in the MOU between the Mansaka Tribal Council of Magnaga and the mining company. The MOU was signed in 2012 with the mining company committing to make the payment before the end of 2013.

"This amount is allocated to the planned programs which we have submitted to the company," Melindo said in the local Visayan dialect during a radio interview.

Barangay councilman Embin Baño also thanked KGCP for the donation.

"As chairman of the committee that looks into the welfare and development of our Mansaka brothers here in Barangay Magnaga, I'm happy and thankful to the King-King Copper-Gold Project for fulfilling its commitment to the IPs," Baño said in a simple turnover ceremony held at the tribal hall.

Gillespie later also led the groundbreaking ceremony for a Boy Scout/Girl Scout center where KGCP funded P500,000 for the building that will soon rise at the Kingking Central Elementary School.

The KGCP official also handed a P250,000 check for the ongoing church renovation of San Jose Parish on top of the P500,000 they earlier donated to Fr. Roel delos Reyes, parish priest.

Fr. Reyes said, "This is the exact amount we need to make our church look even better."

These donations totaling P2.25 million are in addition to the other donations KGCP had already given and extended for its community outreach projects.

Brighter future

For his part, Gillespie says that they are very happy with the relationships that they have been able to build with the people of Pantukan.

"And we look forward to nurturing more opportunities for engagement with the community, with the end objective of building a better future for the next generation," Gillespie added.

KCGP is a partnership between the Nationwide Development Corp (Nadecor) and St. Augustine Gold & Copper Ltd. (SAGCL) for the development of the world-class gold and copper deposit located in the municipality.

Nadecor and SAGCL already announced they are pouring in $2 billion for the development of the copper and gold project in Kingking. Both companies are now seeking government approval of the multibillion-dollar mining project, the second biggest in the country next only to the Tampakan Copper and Gold Project of Sagittarius Mines Inc.

The project is expected to boost and develop the local economy of Pantukan.

Gillespie said the donations are also the company's way of sharing this Christmas season and expressing their commitment to help improve the community and the people of Kingking.

KCGP has been very active in projects and has engaged the community in various social and livelihood projects in and around its mining site in Pantukan.

Projects worth P30M

In just a little over two years, it already has poured well over P30 million in community development projects.

It is also focusing on health and nutrition and has provided the town with free use of its ambulance. KCGP has also made available its medical team to residents of the town and regularly donates free medicines.

The project has been extending their medical outreach programs in other municipalities in Compostela Valley and has been organizing feeding programs.

But education is the core direction of its corporate and social responsibility program.

KCGP is committed to long-term educational enhancement with a goal of employing students in its impact communities. In line with this, it has sought partnership with the Tesda Regional Training Center in Davao City for skills training in preparation for the construction and operation of the project.

KCGP has been providing generous scholarships, including housing allowances, to the young members of the Mansaka tribe and Pantukan community so they are able to attend college or vocational school. The scholars were selected with the involvement and endorsement of the tribal council and local barangay council.

SOURCE: http://manilatimes.net/tribal-council-receives-timely-yuletide-gifts/64378/