In a move to provide vital access for thousands of residents to boost local economic development, Nickel Asia Corporation affiliate Cagdianao Mining Corporation (CMC) has turned over a 3.1 kilometer road that connects two coastal towns in Dinagat Islands province.
Officials from local government units and CMC led the turn-over ceremony on January 11 for the PHP4.8 million Legaspi-Benglen Farm to Market Road connecting Brgy. Legaspi in Cagdianao and Brgy. Benglen in Libjo.
Funded under CMC’s Social Development and Management Program (SDMP), the road project entails the widening and gravelling of an existing dirt road that used to be passable by motorcycles only.
Cagdianao Mayor Adolfo Longos noted that aside from the two villages that separate the two towns, CMC’s host and neighboring barangays also benefit from the new road.
Longos said fishermen and farmers from coastal and inland villages are now able to sell goods without traveling by sea, which is often unnavigable during the monsoon season.
The mayor also lauded CMC for entrusting the road project to the local government unit as its implementing partner.
“CMC funded the project but we were the implementer. I have never seen a mining company approach a development initiative this way, which encourage participation from all sectors. Truly, CMC is a responsible mining company,” the official said in his speech during the turn-over.
Engr. Aloysius C. Diaz, NAC Vice President for Operations, said the project reflects the company’s strong commitment for public-private partnership as it pursues sustainable projects in its impact communities.
“Roads are essential to economic development and bring important social benefits. A road network provides access to livelihood, employment, and social services,” Engr. Diaz said.
For her part, Provincial Board Member Ann Pinat Felisimo cited CMC as an important “economic contributor in the municipality of Cagdianao.”
CMC Community Relations Manager Rudilyn H. Velasco expressed gratitude for the community stakeholders and government agencies responsible for assisting the project until its completion.
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