Blaan communities in South Cotabato laud SMI's contributions
Tampakan, South Cotabato - The Blaan communities in South Cotabato has recently cited the mining firm Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI) for its contributions in promoting the general welfare and socio-economic development of the indigenous cultural communities in the province.
During the celebration of the 8th Gu Sasleng Festival and Du Dad Blaan, held on October 30, 2024, in the municipality of Tampakan, Provincial Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) Edgar Sambog expressed his profound thanks to the mining firm's various community development projects that directly benefited the tribal community.
"Pasalamatan natin ang SMI. Dahil sa kanilang scholarship program, maraming tribu ang nakapag-aral, nakapagtapos at nabigyan ng oportunidad," Sambog said in his speech.
As part of its annual Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) commitments, SMI had funded numerous development projects of its host municipalities in the provinces of South Cotabato, Sarangani, Davao del Sur and Sultan Kudarat.
Meantime, Municipal IPMR Domingo Collado, Jr. also expressed gratitude to SMI for uplifting the lives of his constituents through various sustainable livelihood programs, education and health projects, environmental protection activities, and capacity-building programs for local communities and Blaan Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs) in the area.
"Madamo gid nga salamat SMI, sa padayon ninyo nga bulig sa amon nga mga tribu," Collado also said during the event.
Gu Sasleng Festival is an annual cultural festivity of the Blaan community by virtue of the National IP Month Celebration. (30)
2024-11-03
