TUBA, Benguet – Philex Mining Corp., through its gold-and-copper operations in the province, had teamed up with the local government of Itogon for the event dubbed “Medical & Dental Mission,” which was part of a series of celebrations in the run-up to Philex’s 60th anniversary on November 19.
“This event marks our good partnership not only with the residents of this barangay, but also with the government of Itogon,” Philex Mining senior vice-president Manuel Agcaoili, and resident manager of Padcal, told the villagers.
“Philex Mining is always ready to help you, especially in terms of social development and health care,” Agcaoili added.
Some 200 residents of the barangay’s Sitios Sta. Fe, Banget, and Sal-angan trooped to Sta. Fe, to avail of free health-care services, such as medical and dental check-ups, tooth extraction, and tests for blood type, glucose, cholesterol, and uric acid.
Residents also availed of free medicines, such as vitamins for children and elders, painkillers, and antidotes for fever and respiratory illnesses.
On August 16, Philex kicked off its months-long celebrations of 60 years of operations with the launch of “Nurture-Nature Activity,” an environmental-protection event held at Padcal’s decommissioned and rehabilitated Tailings Storage Facility No. 1, in Sitio Sal-angan.
Some 300 stakeholders had planted 5,000 different species of trees in two hectares of land in the 26-ha. TSF1. Many other events are lined up for the anniversary, such as a night of cultural presentations, sports fest, and on-the-spot poster-making contest. (PR)