Tampakan, South Cotabato — For Lolita Puli, the assistance reaching her community is more than a livelihood opportunity—it is a reminder that senior citizens remain valued members of the tribe.
“Pasalamat gani ko sa SMI kay mao ni ang ilang tabang sa among tribu,” Puli said, expressing her gratitude to Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI) for bringing development initiatives closer to residents of Barangay Tablu.
Puli was among the participants in SMI’s Entrepreneurial Development and Values Reorientation for Senior Citizens workshop held on September 10, an activity designed to help senior citizens gain practical knowledge in entrepreneurship while strengthening values that can guide them in pursuing productive and sustainable activities.
The workshop gave participants an opportunity to learn about basic entrepreneurial concepts, explore potential livelihood opportunities, and reflect on the values that can help them remain active and contribute to their families and community.
For communities within the Tampakan Project area, programs such as these provide avenues for residents to build skills and explore opportunities that can supplement household income and strengthen community participation.
The initiative also reflects SMI’s continuing commitment to community development through programs that respond to the needs identified by host and neighboring communities.
“Gapasalamat kami kay naka-avail na kami sa proyekto sa SMI, sa tabang sa kompaniya. Nalipay ako kay nakabangon na kami tungod sa SMI,” she added.
From education and health assistance to infrastructure, enterprise development, institutional capacity-building and socio-cultural programs, SMI’s community investments are intended to create tangible benefits for residents and support their aspirations for improved quality of life.
For Puli and other senior citizens in Tablu, the workshop is one more opportunity to learn, participate and contribute—showing that community development is not only about building facilities, but also about investing in people and giving every generation a chance to move forward. (30)
