The graduation rites of the three supported schools in the company’s host community were attended to by Tagana-an Mayor Cesar B. Diaz Jr., DepEd representatives led by District Supervisor Ceana A. Epley, Ed. D., and Mr. Oscar O. Mahusay - EPS I-Administrative Officer Designate. NAC-HMC was represented by Community Relations staff.

Mr. Danilo W. Pagalan, Talavera Elementary School Head Teacher II, said HMC is a big help especially for their school.

“Napakalaking bagay ang naiambag o naitulong ng Hinatuan Mining Corporation sa amin. Dito sa amin, lalung-laon na sa paaralan. Unang-una yung matrikula sagot nila, gayun din yung mga school supplies, bag, school uniforms, shoes” (Hinatuan Mining Corporation has really provided us with assistance. The tuition is paid for by the company and they even provided free school supplies school bags, uniforms, and shoes to our students),” he said.

The sentiment was also shared by Talavera Elementary School Grade VI Pupil Antonet C. Helme. “Yung mga bayarin po ang Hinatuan nagsusuporta po sa amin sa mga bayarin po namin sa paaralan. Sila din po ang nagbibigay ng mga school supplies. (HMC is also the one that supports us on the payments needed in our school. The company also provide us with our school supplies),” she said.

Hinatuan Elementary School had Engr. Ryan Wenceslao as their guest speaker for their 20th graduation rites. Engr. Wenceslao is a resident of Sitio Campandan, and a former scholar of NAC-HMC.

Engr. Wenceslao reminded everyone that being poor is not a deterrent or a hindrance to finishing studies.

He further added that there are many people who will help you along the way as long as you don’t lose sight of your dreams.

He gives students his life as an example, wherein he used to collect garbage in hopes of getting cash for his family.

In spite of this, he did not waver in wanting to finish his studies and continued to strive to uplift himself for the sake of his family. Nowadays, he is working as a Mining Engineer at NAC-HMC assigned as part of the Grade Control section.

In Talavera Elementary School, EPS I-Administrative Officer Designate Mr. Oscar O. Mahusay, reminded the graduates about the theme for this year’s graduation rites, “Sabay-sabay na hakbang tungo sa maunlad na kinabukasan”.

“Just like today, naka encounter nan engine trouble ang amo tag sakyan na pump boat, pero sa tabang sa Ginoo, jaon ang HMC sanan mga residente sa Sitio Campandan gitabangan kami. Gi alalayan kami nan HMC para maka abot jari sa inyong tulunghaan” (Just like today, our pump boat encountered engine trouble, but with the help of God, HMC and residents of Sitio Campandan were there to help us. HMC helped us reach your school today),” he said.

“Sama ra pud sa inyo pageskwela mga bata. Timan-i na hamok magtabang kaninyo. Una na dira ang HMC. So ayaw gajud ninyo sayangi ang oportunidad. (This is like in your studies children. Remember that there are many who will help you. First would be HMC. Do not waste this opportunity.), he further added.

In the 6th graduation rites of Bagong Silang Elementary School, District Supervisor Ceana A. Epley, Ed. D., had this reminder for the graduates,”Maningkamot ug dapat priority ang pagskwela, unya na ang mag uyab2 pag mahuman na ang skwela. Pareha sa akoa, giuna jud nako ang skwela para dili ko maglisud. Ug kaluoy sa Ginoo, natagaan pud ko ug maayo nga partner tong naka human na ko sa ako pag skwela. Naka tabang ko sa ako pamilya unya wa pud mi naglisud (You should strive and prioritize your studies, go into a relationship like a boyfriend-girlfriend once you have finished school. Like me, I prioritized my studies so that I will not encounter hardships in the future. And with the grace of God, I was given a good partner after I have finished school. I was able to help my family and did not also encounter much difficulty).”

Tagana-an Mayor Cesar B. Diaz also addressed the graduates of Bagong Silang Elementary School and told them that, “Ayaw ninyo sayangi ang opportunidad na naa sa inyoha. Samtang naa pa ang HMC nga tag suporta sa inyo pagskwela , libre ang tuition, ang uniform, ang shoes. Paningkamot kamo mga bata (Do not waste the opportunity given to you. As long as HMC is still in operation and supports your studies, pays for your tuition, provides your school uniform, your school shoes. Make great efforts to achieve this, children).”

NAC-HMC Resident Mine Manager Engr. Francisco J. Arañes Jr. also provided assurance to the community and education institutions through the speech that was given by NAC-HMC ComRel staff on his behalf.

“Rest assured that Hinatuan Mining Corporation will never get tired of helping your community as well as this educational institution attain your goal of providing quality education to the youth of today will later on become the leaders of the future,” he said.