The Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI) has earmarked at least P7.6 million from its 2020 Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) funding to aid its host and neighboring communities amid the global health crisis.
In coordination with the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, SMI realigned at least P2.6 million – intended for information, education, and communication (IEC) and the development of mining technology and geosciences (DMTG) – to not only procure food supplies and Personal Protective Equipment but to also extend help to other COVID-19 mitigation measures executed the local government units.
The firm also realigned at least P5 million from its SDMP fund for Columbio, Sultan Kudarat and Kiblawan, Davao del Sur for their COVID-19 relief operations.
“As a responsible stakeholder and development partner, we, at SMI, will always support, within our limited resources, our host LGUs whenever our help is needed. We will assist them in their efforts to fight COVID-19,” said Joselito Kakilala, SMI’s Community Relations Manager, in a press release.
Earlier this month, SMI donated 50 non-contact, handheld IR thermal scanners and 13 multi-purpose tents to 10 municipalities of South Cotabato and three other host municipalities to improve their COVID-19 detection and prevention programs.
The firm also donated 116 sacks of rice to the Provincial Government of South Cotabato to support its relief efforts.
On April 8, SMI not only turned over a four-wheel drive Hino truck to the Municipal Government of Tampakan to be used in its relief operations, particularly in its mountainous and remote barangays, but also released the operational and administrative funds to its host indigenous community foundations to help their fellow Blaans affected by the lockdowns and community quarantines.
According to Kakilala, these efforts were provided even if the company has not yet begun its operations and despite the uncertainties brought by the enhanced community quarantine.
