“At HMC, We always have F.A.I.T.H (Food Always In The House).”
With this theme, Hinatuan Mining Corp. (HMC) successfully launched its first ever company-wide Community Pantry last July 29, 2021.
The Community Pantry is designed to showcase the Environment best practices of HMC, a subsidiary of Nickel Asia Corp. (NAC), by sharing the harvested fruits and vegetables from its Haleakala, Farm village, Aquaponic Garden, Dragon fruit plantation and harvested Tilapia and Bangus from its Aquaponic garden and Mariculture projects.
A total of 12 kilos of Pineapple, five kilos of Tomatoes, 10 kilos of Sponge Gourd and 2.5 kilos of Lime were harvested from Haleakala Garden.
They also harvested one-half kilo of Camote Tops, 10 kilos of Camote, 25 kilos of Cassava, one-half kilo of Eggplant and 11.5 kilos of Squash from Farm Village as well as four kilos of Dragon fruit from the Dragon Fruit Plantation.
The mining firm also harvested five kilos of Lettuce and 12 kilos of Tilapia from Aquaponic Garden; 35 kilos of Banana from Lipata Cove Garden; 150 kilos of Bangus from its Mariculture Project.
These were freely distributed to all employees of HMC, manpower agencies, mining contractors and Special CAFGU Active Auxiliary (SCAA) group members, who patronized the community pantry.
Aside from the fresh catch, fruits and vegetables, employees also experienced the HMC delights that include Binignit, fresh Buko juice, Lemongrass juice, Blue Ternate juice, and the first ever and the newest Dragon fruit ice cream.
An Information, Education and Communication (IEC) program was also conducted as part of the activity. Freebies and other items were also given to all trivia winners during the program.
One of the highlights of the launching of the HMC-TNP Community Pantry was the introduction of the newest HMC-TNP delight, the delightful Dragon Fruit Ice Cream.
HMC tapped the services of a local sorbertero—Merlito Bagiuo from Brgy. Talavera, host barangay of HMC. He was able to make one tube of Dragon Fruit Ice Cream. It was made from the 40 kilos of harvested fruits from HMC's Dragon Fruit Plantation.
Mine Operations Manager and the OIC of the Office of the Resident Mine Manager, Engr. Edwin R. Casiano, a mining engineer with the heart for the environment said, "this is my first time to experience this kind of delight."
He also added that, HMC mine site management will always be supportive and be an advocate of Environmental programs like this.
“This is the first time we conducted this Community Pantry. We are hopeful that we can extend this kind of activity to our host and neighboring community,” he said.
Dr. Oliver Dennis O. Lao, HMC Admin Manager and Company Physician also testified that the Dragon Fruit Ice Cream "is yummy and very creamy. Congratulations HMC!"
Indeed, HMC has time and again, proven itself being resilient in the midst of pandemic.
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