SMI Announces Success of Month-Long Medical, Dental Missions

Tampakan, South Cotabato - Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI) today announced the success of its recently hosted free medical and dental missions for the month of September 2022.

With the host communities within the Tampakan Copper-Gold Project area and several government agencies as its partners, the SMI missions benefited a total of 1,820 residents, mostly members of the indigenous communities, from the municipalities of Malungon in Sarangani and of Kiblawan in Davao del Sur.

The residents availed of free medical services which included dental works, medical consultations, COVID-19 vaccinations, "Operation Tuli", medicines and Family Planning sessions.

In Kiblawan, a total of 1,407 residents from Barangays Bulolsalo, Tacub and Kimlawis benefited from the missions.

"Dako ang atong pasalamat kay naa atong SMI nga andam mosuporta sa atong mga kalihukan. Sa mga programa nila, ato pud sila nga tabangan (We are very grateful because we have SMI that is ready to support our activities. We also need to help them with their programs),” Municipal Mayor Joel "Jojo" Calma said in appreciation of the partnership with SMI.

On the other hand, a total of 413 residents of Barangays Malabod and Blaan in Malungon also availed of the services offered by SMI.

Mayor Maria Theresa “Tessa” Constantino also expressed her gratitude to the mining firm, for helping the municipal government in its effort to advance the socio-economic developments of its communities, especially those populated with indigenous peoples.

"Sa padayon nga assistance sang SMI, mas damo kita sang bulong nga mahatag kag mas maayo kag mas plastar ang aton paghatag sang serbisyo sa katawhan (With the continuous assistance of SMI, we were able to provide more medicines and also been able to give better and more effective services to the people)," Mayor Constantino cited.

Sagittarius Mines, Inc. is committed to the goal of sustainable development, and contributes to the social and economic development of sustainable communities associated with its operations.

Under its 2022 Annual Social Development and Management Program (ASDMP), SMI has allocated around PhP4.3 Million for the development of its host and neighboring communities, in the areas of health, education, infrastructure, livelihood, capacity building and protection of socio-cultural values. (30)

(Photo: Members of Malungon Municipal Health Office headed by Dr. Rafaida G. Hernandez and SMI personnel led by Community Affairs and Development Manager Alexander Clarabal pose during the medical mission last September 2, 2022 in Barangay Malabod)