Mining firm SMI produces more than 700 professionals through its community scholarship program
Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI), a mining firm reportedly eyeing to extract copper and gold in four provinces in Mindanao, has already produced more than 700 professionals from its community scholarship program, according to Arangkada Balita, a digital–based news platform.
SMI is exploring the possibility of extracting copper and gold in the mineral–rich highland barangays in the municipalities of Tampakan in South Cotabato, in Columbio in Sultan Kudarat, in Malungon in Sarangani, and in Kiblawan in Davao Del Sur.
Twenty years ago, and until now, SMI has not extracted copper yet but it already poured more than P1.2–billion in financing its various projects that aimed to advance the socio–economic and educational aspects of the communities covered by its proposed mineral extractions in said towns.
Those SMI scholars are now teachers, college professors, engineers, government employees, community leaders and public servants.
And one of them is Sweetly Mae Galang–Laguerder, now the chairperson of Barangay Blaan in Malungon, Sarangani.
Laguerder expressed gratitude to SMI for realizing her dream of becoming a professional. Now, she is helping her Blaan community.
Last Friday (March 19, 2021), Laguerder received P75,000 from SMI. The money will be spent on “humanitarian projects” for her barangay.
Malungon Mayor Tessa Constantino witnessed the ceremonial distribution of the SMI assistance.
Dan Raymond Constantino, chairperson of Barangay Malabud of the same town, also got similar assistance. (
DM Digital News)
2021-03-24
