As part of its efforts to support and add value to its two fisheries projects, Taganito Mining Corporation (TMC), conducted a Hands-on Training on Milkfish Production and Management, Fish Processing, and Value Adding.
Through TMC’s Community Relations and Development Department, the training was attended by members of Gagmayn’g Mananagat sa Wangke (GAMAWA) and the Bayanihan of Lapinigan Association (BOLA).
It was conducted in partnership with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)–Region XIII and the Claver Municipal Agriculture Office.
A total of 50 participants completed the training where they learned about bangus bottling and deboning.
Their outputs included bottled bangus in either corn oil or tomato sauce, and either plain or marinated boneless bangus.
GAMAWA president Antonio Ocon expressed gratitude to TMC for holding such training that helped fisherfolks widen their knowledge on milkfish production and management, and fish processing.
“Mapasalamaton kami sa Taganito Mining Corporation sa paghatag kanamo og bag-o nga kahibalo aron mapalambo pa namo ang proyekto nga ilang ge hatag. Karon, dili rakan lamang kami magsalig sa pagbaligya sa mga bangus, apan makahimo na kami pagbuhat og binotelya ug deboned nga bangus. (We are thankful to Taganito Mining Corpration for giving us another learning to enhance our project which they have given. Now, we will not be solely reliant on selling milkfish, but also on making bottled or boneless bangus),” shared Ocon.
Personnel from BFAR, another partner of TMC for the product development of its supported POs, also expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to help enhance the livelihood project of the community.
“Kami sa BFAR, malipay nga makatabang sa pagpalambo sa mga livelihood project sa komunidad. Mapasalamaton kami sa TMC kay ila kami ge himo na partner para matabangan kamo na mapalambo ang inyong bangus project. (We at BFAR are happy that we are able to help with the enhancement of this community livelihood project. We thank TMC for making us a partner for the development of this bangus project),” said Maricel Maturan, training team leader.
Ms. Judy B. Urbiztondo, TMC Senior Community Development Specialist, encouraged the participants to continue the drive to develop their livelihood project especially that they have now been a showcase to visitors not just of the company but also of the LGU.
“Ang inyong project ginabisitahan na sa mga nagkalain-lain na ahensya sa gobyerno. Karon, naa na pud ta madungag nga produkto nga atong madala sa mga conferences nga apil magdisplay ang mga POs. Karon mo abot nga 5th Caraga Mining Symposium, magdisplay kita sa inyong produkto. Mgdisplay sab kita sab kita sa PMSEA sa Baguio karong November (Your project has been visited by different government agencies. Now, you have additional products to be displayed, especially during conferences. We will display them in the 5th Caraga Mining Symposium; and, also have them displayed in Baguio for the PMSEA conference),” remarked Urbiztondo.
The said training is part of TMC’s 2019 Social Development and Management Program under the livelihood component.
BOLA is the first marine–based livelihood PO supported by TMC in 2017 which is located along the shoreline of barangay Lapinigan; while GAMAWA is the first fish cage project cum recreational area in the municipality.
TMC is a subsidiary of Nickel Asia Corporation, the Philippines’ largest producer of nickel ore. One of its thrusts is to create and support livelihood opportunities within its host and neighboring communities.
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