NUEVA VIZCAYA (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 11, 2013) – Further moving forward to fulfill its commitment, an Australian mining firm opened another round of voluntary contributions to sustain partnership with Children’s Hour Philippines (CHP) this year.
The OceanaGold (Philippines) Inc., (OGPI) said the project involves extending a minimum amount equivalent to an hour of its employee’s basic pay. For example, an employee receiving P10,000 a month can donate a minimum of P47 to (CHP), a nongovernmental organization working on children’s welfare.
The employees of OceanaGold (Philippines) Inc. first joined hands in a project called “Mining for National Treasures” in May 2010.
Their paths crossed in Didipio, a village which hosts a Gold-Copper mining project of OGPI. At that time, the elementary school here do not have a children’s drum and lyre corps organized. During public ceremonies, children were not able to participate just like their counterparts in other villages.
The project aimed to help Didipio children form a drum and lyre group in their school, and so, in November 12, 2010 Children’s hour and OGPI employees sponsored a big event which included a skills training in performing drum and lyre. Other events like singing contest and a 4×100 meter dash relay was held.
The same partnership hosted another event was held in July 28-29, 2012. A trainer was hired to enhance the skills of the Didipio Elementary School drum and lyre corps.
Organizers believed these events could be a mechanism to improve the students’ personality, productivity and self-discipline; to train them to be a whole-rounded individuals. The project worked to raise funds to donate a complete drum and lyre set for Didipio elementary school.
Employees who signed up an “Authorization to Deduct” form shall be enrolled in the activity. “There is more happiness in giving than in receiving so you can give more than that,” Rhodora Songayab, OGPI’s HR Manager, said.
“Who knows? Our project with Children’s Hour would bring out a wonder kid out of Didipio this time,” she added.
OceanaGold (Philippines) Inc. is a subsidiary of OceanaGold Corporation, a significant Asia Pacific gold producer with a portfolio of operating, development and exploration assets.
The Company’s assets are located on the South Island of New Zealand and in the northern Philippines. The company’s main activity is the Didipio Project – one of the highest gold-copper projects at construction and development stage today. (Mindanao Examiner. Francis Hidalgo, Jr.)
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