SURIGAO CITY (July 25, 2006) - In a move that would further intensify its socio-economic thrusts to the communities of Caraga, DENR-Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Regional Office No. 13 on Tuesday revealed that it has organized two (2) Community Technical Working Groups (CTWGs) that would lead in the management of social development programs in at least two villages in Agusan del Sur.

MGB 13 Regional Director Alilo Ensomo said the CTWGs constituted will take care of Barangays Consuelo (Bunawan) and Bayugan 3 (Rosario), which have been identified as recipients of the Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) of Philsaga Mining Corp. (PSMC).

PSMC, a small-scale mining permittee has been a proponent of corporate social responsibility in the locality with the implementation of various community projects through Philsaga Foundation, Inc.. Even before the issuance of DAO 2004-54, which institutionalized the SDMP in every mining project, the company has already apportioned 1% of its DMMC to the barangays aforementioned forming them part of the barangays’ annual income.

PSMC has recently been issued a Special Mines Permit paving the way for the formation of the CTWGs and the formulation of a 5-year SDMP for the host communities that would start implementation in 2007. The formation of CTWGs in the locality started in April 2006 through various organizational meetings, the election of officers and the formulation of a Memorandum of Agreement. These efforts successfully led to the signing of the MOA and induction of CTWG in May.

The two CTWGs were recently convened by MGB Region 13 in an SDMP Forum-Workshop held in its office on July 20-21. During the forum, MGB 13 information and community development officers discussed the evolution of the CTWG anchored on the Mining Act of 1995 and its IRR. Functions and responsibilities of the multi-sectoral members were leveled-off to attain focus.

Activity planning was also held with the aim of guiding CTWG members in the formulation of the 5-year SDMP Plan, beginning 2007 and ending 2011. Responsibility matrix was likewise formulated so that persons involved will be guided on the target dates of accomplishment.

Local Study Mission (LSM) was also conducted, which the groups described as relevant in the formulation of the SDMP Plan as it provided information on the experiences of other CTWGs in the implementation of SDMP.

On August 29-31, 2006, the 2 CTWGs are expected to drop by DENR-MGB 13 office prior to its sojourn to Taganito Mining Corporation (TMC). Areas to be observed will not only cover the social dimensions including projects’ success and failures but also the environmental protection and enhancement programs being implemented in accordance to the existing statutes. (MGB Region 13)