Davao City - The Mansaka Tribal Council in Barangay Magnaga, Pantukan, Compostela Valley (ComVal), benefited from the P1- million assistance provided by the Kingking Copper-Gold Project (KCGP) as funding for group's livelihood and social services programs.

Tribal chieftain Melindo Lee said the assistance will directly benefit the indigenous peoples (IPs) in Pantukan.

"This amount will be allocated for the planned programs that we have submitted to the company," Lee explained.

The KCGP is in partnership with the Nationwide Development Corporation (Nadecor) and the St. Augustine Gold and Copper Ltd. (SAGCL) for the gold and copper mining project in Pantukan.

SAGCL country manager and director for environment and permitting Clyde Gillespe said the company has already established good working relationship with the people and communities in the town.

"We are looking forward to nurturing more opportunities for engagement with the communities, with the end objective of building a better future for the next generation," Gillespe added.

For his part, Councilman Embin Bano, also a tribal leader in the community, expressed his gratitude to the support, and assured that the funds will solely be used for the welfare of the Mansaka tribesmen in the area.

SOURCE: http://www.mb.com.ph/tribal-groups-get-livelihood-assistance/