TAMPAKAN, South Cotabato - Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI) last week expressed condolences and provided immediate relief assistance to the victims of Severe Tropical Storm 'Paeng' that brought heavy rains and strong winds to the Philippines and wrecked havoc in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), particularly in the provinces of Maguindanao, Cotabato City and Sultan Kudarat.
In coordination with BARMM, the concerned provincial governments, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XII, SMI allocated PhP1 Million-worth of humanitarian assistance for the calamity victims.
SMI Corporate Affairs Manager Roy D. Antonio led the disaster response mission in the affected areas and oversaw the purchase of relief assistance consisting of food and non-food items, which included 1,200 containers of 5-gallon potable water, 114 cases of assorted food items, 11 bales of mixed clothing, 700 pairs of slippers, 500 pieces of family-sized blankets, 700 pieces of family-sized mosquito nets and 700 pieces of family-sized sleeping mats.
"The Board and management of SMI immediately approved the allocation of PhP1-Million fund for relief assistance to the victims of Severe Tropical Storm Paeng. And despite the start of the Undas holidays, an SMI team mobilized to provide help where needed,” Mr. Antonio said, emphasizing that it was part of being a responsible mining company and is a solid tradition among mining companies, regardless of areas of operation, to respond in times of natural calamities.
In BARMM, Minister of the Interior and Local Government Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo personally received the relief items in the BARMM Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence (READi) operations center in Cotabato City on November 2, 2022.
"On behalf of the regional government of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, we would like to thank Sagittarius Mining, lalo na ho sa kanilang Chairman of the Board, Atty. Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro, for donating potable water as well as other relief items for the victims of Typhoon Paeng. Maraming salamat po uli," Atty. Sinarimo said.
In Buluan, Maguindanao del Sur, Provincial Administrator Atty. Cyrus Torreña and PDRRMO Nashrullah Imam received the relief items on November 4, 2022, and also conveyed their gratitude to SMI for extending the much-needed help for their constituents.
"Secretary Gibo Teodoro, maraming salamat po sir. On behalf of the Provincial Government of Maguindanao, kami po ay lubos-lubos na nagpapasalamat po sir. Malaking bagay na po ito sir sa mga biktima po ng landslide at mga pagbaha po sir," PDRRMO Imam speaking on behalf of Provincial Governor Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu.
On that same day, in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat, Provincial Governor Datu Pax Ali S. Mangudadatu also expressed his thanks to the management of SMI, headed by Chairman of the Board Atty. Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro and SMI President Roy O. Deveraturda for answering their plea.
"Kami po sa lalawigan ng Sultan Kudarat ay nagpapasalamat sa leadership ng SMI at kanilang mga tauhan. Makaka-asa po kayo na diretso po ito sa lahat ng mga nasalanta ng bagyo at makaka-asa po kayo, na kami sa lalawigan ng Sultan Kudarat, ang provincial government, ay kasama niyo sa lahat-lahat ng mabuting advocacy ng grupong ito para isang makabagong Sultan Kudarat. Maraming, maraming salamat po!"
In its November 5, 2022 situational report, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said that, of the 155 total reported deaths, BARMM remained to be the region with the most number of deaths at 63, the most number affected at around 550,000, and the most number of evacuees. (30)
Tampakan, South Cotabato - A total of 483 students of Lampitak National High School in Barangay Lampitak, in the Municipality of Tampakan, South Cotabato, now enjoy a steady supply of safe and potable water in their school, 24/7. Thanks to Sagitt...
Read more
