"Tulong Pangkalusugan" - SMI medical missions serve over 1,300 in Kiblawan and Malungon
Tampakan, South Cotabato -- Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI) on Monday announced the success of its series of medical and dental missions in its host and neighboring barangays in Sarangani and Davao del Sur provinces for the month of May 2024.
In partnership with the municipal governments of Malungon in Sarangani and Kiblawan in Davao del Sur, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), and other government agencies, the medical missions benefited a total of 1,374 residents, mostly members of the Blaan tribe and other indigenous cultural communities.
Through SMI’s Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) “Tulong Pangkalusugan”, the residents availed of free medical services which included dental works, medical consultations, immunization, "Operation Tuli", medicines and Family Planning sessions.
In Kiblawan, a total of 1,184 residents from Barangays Bulolsalo, Tacub, Abnate, and Kimlawis benefited from the mission.
"Sa muli, ang aming taos-pusong pasasalamat sa Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI) sa patuloy na pagtaguyod ng mga programang pangkalusugan para ating mga kababayan,” Kiblawan Municipal Mayor Joel "Jojo" Calma said.
"Maraming, maraming salamat, SMI. Talagang hindi kayo nagsasawa sa pagbibigay ng tulong, lalo na sa aming mga IPs dito sa Kiblawan. Sana marami pa kayong matulungan," said municipal Indigenous People Mandatory Representative (IPMR), Fulong Rufino Dianga, Jr.
On the other hand, a total of 190 residents of Barangays Malabod and Blaan in Malungon, also availed of the services offered by SMI.
Municipal Mayor Maria Theresa “Tessa” Constantino expressed her gratitude as well 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.
"To our valued partner, Sagittarius Mines, Inc., thank you very, very much! With your continuous assistance, we were able to provide more medicines and also able to give better and more effective services to our residents," Mayor Constantino said during the medical mission in Barangay Blaan.
Under its 2024 SDMP, SMI has allocated around PhP18.22 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.
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)
2024-06-10
