SMI gives PhP1.5M social development fund to LGU Columbio
Tampakan, South Cotabato - Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI) last week turned over PhP1.5 million as community development fund for the municipal government of Columbio in Sultan Kudarat.
As part of the mining firm's commitment to one of the host municipalities of the Tampakan Copper-Gold Project, SMI annually allots a total of PhP3 million under its Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) to support and sustain LGU Columbio’s planned livelihood, infrastructure, education, health, and other community development programs, projects and activities.
Officials from Municipal Treasurer’s Office and representatives from the office of Municipal Mayor Tondatu M. Mangudadatu received the fund in a simple turnover ceremony, last February 6, 2024.
"Sana hindi magsawa ang SMI sa kanilang pagtulong sa mga LGUs. Dahil sa SMI, na o-augment ang mga proyekto ng LGU, lalo na doon sa pangkabuhayan, edukasyon at imprastraktura," Project Monitoring Officer Lady Bai Mangudadatu said.
Last year alone, SMI reported to the National Government that it had invested PhP66 million for the various social development programs of the Tampakan Project’s host and neighboring communities.
Even though the Tampakan Project has not yet started, SMI has already poured more than PhP1.2 billion in financing various social development projects and activities that are aimed at promoting the general welfare and advancing the socio–economic, health and educational conditions of its 10 hosts and 11 neighboring communities.
With all major approvals and permits from the national government secured, SMI is ready to start construction this year and produce its first copper concentrate in mid-2027. (30)
2024-02-14
