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Barangay Talavera residents receive Bangus from HMC

Hinatuan Mining Corp. (HMC) distributed two kilos of Bangus per household within its host community—Barangay Talavera.

The Bangus that were distributed by HMC to the residents of Sitio Bagong Silang and Sitio Campandan on May 20 came from HMC-sponsored Bangus Farming Project of the United Fisherfolk Association of Bagong Silang (UFAOBS).

HMC, through its Social Development and Management Program (SDMP), started the funding of the Bangus Farming Project on January 22, as part of its commitment to support livelihood programs in its host community.

Before formally launching the livelihood project for UFAOBS, HMC tapped the services of Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region XIII personnel to conduct Technical Training on Bangus Culture in Marine Fish Cage on January 8-10.

The distribution of Bangus was done by HMC staff and UFAOBS members and officials in coordination with Barangay and Sitio officials along with the Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) of their respective areas and HMC SDMP teachers and college scholars.

Sitio Campandan resident and Barangay Health Worker (BHW) Estela C. Beberino expressed her gratitude for the Bangus distributed to her community.

“This is the third batch of food we received from HMC. First was rice then followed by the food packs and now two kilos of Bangus. For my catchment or the area where I am responsible as a BHW, this is indeed a big assistance since during that time, source of fish was limited. The Bangus distribution was very timely. All household in my catchment received two kilos of Bangus each and were very happy for the support given by HMC,” she said.

For a small family like ours, she added, the two kilos of Bangus lasted for three days.

“We cooked it in several different ways, in fact we still have some dried Bangus now. To big families, maybe it lasted just one meal,” she added.

“Every family whether big or small benefited. We are thankful to HMC, they did not forsake us in our time of need and are always there to support our community,” she added.

Barangay Talavera resident Ricky Eleguir was also thankful for receiving Bangus, saying that “Thank you for another blessing HMC. Thank you for the free viand.”

UFAOBS President Lilibeth G. Becera was also thankful for the support and trust given by HMC to her group.

“We are thankful for the assistance given by HMC to UFAOBS and the trust they have in us. They bought our first harvest at P140 per kilo,” she said.

Becera said: “As a group, the officers and members of UFAOBS are also happy that we were able to help our fellow residents during this pandemic. Who would have thought that our livelihood project would help not only the residents in our community Sitio Bagong Silang but also to that of the residents in Sitio Campandan and Barangay Talavera? Thank you HMC for trusting us and giving us the opportunity to help our community.

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