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Friday, May 16, 2003
Lepanto Mines offers scholarship slots
By Eve Monteverde
MANKAYAN, BENGUET -- The Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company announced it will make 35 college scholarship slots available this coming school year for students from host mining communities in Mankayan and nearby Cervantes, Ilocos Sur.
The scholarships cover free tuition and other fees for every semester enrolled.
Bryan Yap, president and chief operating officer of Lepanto, declared, "Philosophically, this scholarship program aims to assist the indigenous peoples within our host mining communities through the promotion of education, thereby contributing to poverty alleviation."
"Contrary to some misinformation being spread by some ill-informed groups, mining companies actually contribute a big share for the development of education and culture in their areas of operations," he added. Lepanto operates the country's oldest premier gold and copper mine in this town.
"Labeled as the Lepanto Special Educational Assistance Program for Indigenous Peoples, the program was initially launched in school year 2001-2002 with 30 deserving beneficiaries from the mining communities of Mankayan," said Glenn Batilando, corporate environment manager of Lepanto.
The following year, about 23 students passed the stringent criteria of the program with students qualifying from Mankayan and Cervantes, Ilocos Sur. Lepanto then entered agreements with the Benguet State University in La Trinidad and the Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College in Cervantes where the scholarships are offered.
The scholarships are open to all courses in these two institutions, but with particular focus on agriculture, environmental science and forestry. The program was partly conceptualized three years ago with Benguet Rep. Samuel Dangwa," said Batilando.
A celebrated industry advocate in corporate social responsibility, Lepanto implements the scholarship program as a vital component of its seven-year running comprehensive social development agenda worth P82.19-million.
Lepanto, a multi-awarded firm on environmental management, is a forerunner of the sustainable development of mineral resources in the local industry.
Last year, Lepanto spent P8.9-million under its social development program, which is 143 percent higher than required by the Philippine Mining Act of 1995. More than 10 percent of Lepanto's fund for social development is devoted to education, sports and recreation.
On an annual basis, the company donates school buildings, materials and extends financial support to the various public schools in Mankayan and Cervantes. The Lepanto National High School, a perennial recipient of support from the mining firm, was chosen as one of the best schools in the country and the best in Cordillera in 1996 and 1997.
Interested applicants from Mankayan and Cervantes who are currently enrolled or already passed the entrance examinations of BSU and ISPSC are advised to get in touch with Ramon Lee, Lepanto environment superintendent, Lepanto Mine Division, Mankayan, Benguet, or at the registrar's office of the abovecited schools.
"Gapo ti tulong ti Lepanto agad-adal tatta ti anak ko ti kolehiyo. Agyamanak kanya yo, apo (With the help of Lepanto, my son is now studying in college. Thanks to you, sirs)," cheered Quirino Bugtong, an old Kankanaey vegetable farmer in this remote mining town.
Bugtong's son, Herman, is one of the scholarship recipients and is now taking-up a bachelor's course in forestry at BSU.
This schoolyear, almost three dozens families will feel the same sense of satisfaction that Quirino Bugtong has been enjoying over the past one-and-a-half years.
(May 16, 2003 issue)
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