In celebration of the Environment Month, mining companies in Caraga Region that include Taganito Mining Corporation (TMC) and Cagdianao Mining Corporation (CMC), both Operating Companies (OpCos) of Nickel Asia Corporation (NAC) have united to stress the importance of mining and how it helps in the preservation of the environment.

This was through the first Information, Education and Communications (IEC) Caravan on Mining organized by Caraga Mine Environmental Management Council (CMEMC) on June 27-30, 2017 with the theme “Connecting People to Nature.”

The first Caraga-wide IEC on wheels was unanimously supported by the Mines Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Region 13, Community Relations Education Development Officers Organization (CREDO) and all mining companies in Caraga Region.

The caravan was divided into four clusters or areas – Dinagat Island Cluster, Surigao del Norte Cluster, Surigao del Sur Cluster and the Agusan Provinces Cluster.

The IEC Caravan travelled from Loreto Gym, Municipality of Loreto, Dinagat Islands to the Go Negosyo Function Hall, Provincial Capitol, Surigao City to Cantilan Gym, Municipality of Cantilan until the CSU Gym, Ampayon, Butuan City on June 27 to 30 respectively.

An array of activities was prepared by CMEMC that include a forum wherein NAC-CMC’s very own MEPEO, Franklin F. Jardeleza, delved on the topic “Importance of Mining.”

MGB Regional Director Roger A. De Dios and Glen Suante tackled the status of mining in Caraga Region with the topic “Understanding Policies that Govern Mining Operations and Best Practices that Promote Responsible Mining.”

Mining companies also showcased Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program Best Practices, and Social Development Management Program Best Practices.

The IEC caravan became the medium towards which information about mining was brought forward, not only intended for stakeholders from the mining communities but also for stakeholders beyond the borders of these communities.

The merging of the environment observance and the IEC caravan was conceived to further intensify public awareness on the various best practices of mining companies in the Caraga Region, as well as to emphasize on their respective environmental programs.

The IEC caravan tackled the industry’s perceived negative image, purported by self-professed environmentalists and also presented an antithesis that was brought before the industry’s significance.

During the forum, stakeholders discussed how the mining industry works diligently to comply with environmental laws and other requirements, how it has shaped the economic performance of the Caraga region.

As well as how it champions environmental protection and enhancement in response to the call of government to help improve the living conditions of communities in far flung rural areas.

The forum was held successively in four different locations: Loreto town in Dinagat Islands; in Surigao del Norte; in Cantilan, Surigao del Sur and Butuan City, from June 27to June 30, 2017.

Prior to the IEC caravan that was attended by a diverse crowd of students and scholars, teachers, local government personnel and staff, media representatives, non-government organization (NGO) representatives and ordinary community members among others, a tree-planting activity also took place in the cluster areas on the same day.

The areas include Linao Springs in Loreto, Macalaya Elementary School in Placer, Brgy. San Jose in Cantilan and the CSU Grounds in Ampayon.

NAC-CMC led the Dinagat Islands cluster on a tree planting activity at Linao Springs, Brgy. Esperanza, Loreto town on June 27.

NAC-CMC was given the opportunity to present its best environmental practices before the residents of Cantilan town in Surigao del Sur on Day 3.

The last day of the IEC Caravan on Mining took place at Caraga State University (CSU), Brgy. Ampayon, Butuan City, where a tree planting activity was held on the university’s campus grounds.

While the tree planting activity opened the IEC Caravan, a press conference closed the event that was held on the last day at the Almont Inland Hotel.

The press conference was organized by the MGB Region 13 together with the Philippine Information Agency Butuan and all its media affiliates in the Caraga Region.

In his closing message, MGB-Caraga Regional Director Roger A. De Dios urged the members of the press to visit mining companies in the region for them to see for themselves the industry’s best practices in the areas of environment, social development and sustainability.

The CMEMC, composed of all MEPEOs and/or environmental practitioners from all mining companies in the CARAGA region, undeniably became the driving force behind the caravan.

CMEMC is currently led by TMC as its current President, represented by its Environment Department Manager/MEPEO Engr. Robert T. Francisco.

Also, the CREDO, led by the Taganito HPAL and represented by Ms. Genevieve P. Chua, contributed in the effort to make the activities a success.

The Caravan not only became a venue for information dissemination, it also helped forge a bond among all mining companies as it fostered a spirit of collaboration directed towards achieving, for the industry, far greater heights in terms of making caring for the environment easier, fulfilling and attainable, with the involvement of its stakeholders.

The event

highlighted the industry’s observance of Philippine Environment Month,

which is observed annually by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No.

237 by then President Corazon C. Aquino.