In a memorandum of agreement signed recently at the regional office of the Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources here, Atro Mining committed to assist the EMB in training community leaders in solid waste management; water quality management; and the mobilization of residents to implement the agency’s River Environmental Improvement Program.
ATRO also committed to work with the village in the implementation of the project.
Sixto Tolentino, Jr., EMB 9 regional director, lauded both the village officials and Atro Mining-Vitali, Inc. for the “spirit of volunteerism” by coming up with the “Adopt-A-River Project” on their own initiatives.
The project aims to clean up and rehabilitate Vitali River as a step toward a green and clean village by maintaining a clean river.
Tolentino stressed that Atro Mining may “sit down with Vitali officials in order to determine what the needs are in the process of project implementation.”
He emphasized the relevance of the project, especially that the agency will join the International Coastal Clean Up Day next month. “With this Adopt-A-River Project, you will clean up the river instead of the coastal area,” Tolentino said.
He urged the company and the village officials “to make this project work in line with the government’s public-private partnership program.”
The project will run for one year after the signing of the agreement. Regular reports and updates will be submitted to EMB 9 for monitoring.
Felimon Nepomuceno, resident manager of Atro Mining-Vitali, who signed the agreement for and in behalf of the company president Elson Ogario, said the company is committed to the fundamentals of responsible mining.
He said even during its exploration stage, the company – which is into iron ore mining – has already developed appropriate environmental protection measures.
Atro Mining has a Mines Operating Agreement with Hard Rock Mineral Trading, Inc., which grants exclusive rights to the the company to conduct operations within the Mineral Production Sharing Agreement area, about 2,077 hectares located in Upper Tagpangi in Vitali. It covers the areas of Campo Uno, Veronica, Campo Cuatro, Limbong and Aboles. (Antonio Manaytay)
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