CLAVER, Surigao del Norte--Taganito Mining Corporation and other partners put smiles into the faces of former child laborers around the province during a gift-giving activity on Nov. 17, 2021.

Some 30 children under Department of Labor's "Project Angel Tree" program benefited from the event, which was joined by TMC and other organizations that acted as sponsors for the kids.

The activity at the Surigao City Cultural Center was anchored on the theme: “Sama-samang Itaguyod Ang Karapatan ng Bawat Batang Malaya sa Panahon ng Pandemya.”

Under the program, TMC and its partners sponsored five "Batang Malaya" or former child laborers from various areas of the province who have been profiled by DOLE.

The Project Angel Tree is an annual event of DOLE which gives gifts or wishes to children who have been identified by the province as vulnerable to labor exploitation.

It is a component of DOLE under the Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program, which aims to provide basic social needs and services made by benefactors or sponsors also knowns as “Angels” by the program to child laborers and their families.

TMC has become partner of DOLE along with other mining stakeholders such as Silangan Mindanao Mining Company Inc. (SMMCI), Taganito HPAL Nickel Corporation (THPAL), Platinum Group Metals Corporation (PGMC), Hinatuan Mining Corporation (HMC) and Concern Agrarian Reform for Retirees and Employees Community Cooperative (CARRECO)

For years, TMC and the other benefactors have been instrumental in realizing and granting the wishes of the children.

The event was graced by the presence of DOLE Caraga Regional Director Joffrey M. Suyao, together with DOLE-Surigao del Norte Provincial Head May C. Velonta, and Arciazel Lagrama.