TAMPAKAN, South Cotabato — For many young people in the Tampakan project area, financial hardship once stood between them and a college education. This year, that barrier was overcome as 117 students graduated through the Education Assistance Program of Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI), turning years of perseverance and support into a milestone that changed their lives.
The graduates represent another milestone for the company’s long-running education initiative, which has helped hundreds of students from host and neighboring communities pursue and complete higher education.
Of the 117 graduates, 79 are women and 38 are men. Twenty-nine, or nearly one-fourth of the graduates, belong to Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities, reflecting the program’s commitment to making education more accessible to underserved sectors.
Implemented under SMI’s Social Development and Management Program (SDMP), the Education Assistance Program provides financial support to deserving college students, helping them stay in school and complete their degrees.
For Myla Jane Puli Toca, who earned her Bachelor of Science in Criminology from the Southeast Asian Institute of Technology in Tupi, South Cotabato, the scholarship represented far more than financial assistance.
“Being an SMI scholar was one of the greatest privileges and blessings I have received. I am now a college graduate, and this achievement belongs as much to you as it does to me,” she said.
She added that the support she received inspired her to persevere through challenges and strive for greater achievements.
Another graduate, Romela Fray Gulae, who completed her Bachelor of Science in Social Work at Goldenstate College, said the scholarship gave her hope during difficult times.
“Receiving the SMI Scholarship was truly one of the greatest blessings in my life. It did not only provide financial assistance, but it also gave me hope, motivation, and strength to continue pursuing my studies despite the challenges and hardships that I encountered along the way,” she said.
She expressed gratitude to the company for helping students like her achieve their dreams and encouraged SMI to continue extending educational opportunities to future scholars.
The Education Assistance Program continues to expand. For School Year 2025–2026, SMI is supporting 622 college students through monthly educational allowances, helping ease the financial burden of higher education for families in its partner communities.
Beyond producing graduates, the program aims to nurture future professionals and community leaders who can contribute to the long-term development of their communities.
SMI’s sustained efforts to expand access to education have also earned recognition from the Department of Education, which cited the company’s contribution to promoting quality education, particularly for learners in geographically isolated and disadvantaged communities.
The company believes education is among the most enduring investments it can make—one that empowers individuals, strengthens communities, and creates opportunities that extend well beyond the life of the Tampakan Project. By investing in education, SMI seeks to equip young people in its host and neighboring communities with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to build sustainable livelihoods and help shape their communities’ future.
For the 117 new graduates, however, the program’s impact is measured not only by the diplomas they received, but by the opportunities those diplomas represent. Their journeys stand as a reminder that with determination and meaningful support, education can open doors that transform lives, families, and communities for generations to come. (30)
