Tribal chiefs, stakeholders visit CCC mines in Toledo

Lutopan Open Pit  - Local entrepreneur Mark Henson Villareal and Panamin Brgy. Capt. Primo Manambay examine a replica of the processing plants and mine site that originally open cast when Atlast Mining started in 1955. It was converted into an underground mine in mid-1960 and again reverted its open pit operation in 2008 when Carmen Copper Corporation revived the Toledo Copper Mine. Measuring 1, 852 meters in length and 1, 200 in width, the pit is the main source of ore fed to the mill.  (Museo Toledo).

'Hard' truck – (L-R) Noel Ramos of Malungon town's General Services Office, Assessor's head Luz Mejorada, Municipal Treasurer Nympha Figueroa, MSWDO Mildred Dela Cuesta, Admin Officer Bennie Llego and MENRO Bert Allaga gestures to a million-worth tire of a Komatsu carrier truck during the Sagittarius Mines-facilitated educational tour in Carmen Copper Corporation, Toledo City.

'Giant’ Komatsu – (3^rd – Left) Mayor Reynaldo ‘Bong’ Constantino of Malungon town in Sarangani, government employees and SMI staff Ann Zee Luz Barroso-Laguerder (3^rd-R) pose on bridge of a P45 million-worth 100-tonner Komatsu carrier truck inside Carmen Copper Corporation motor pool during the 4-day mine visit (January 30-02 February 2013) facilitated by Sagittarius Mines Incorporated, in Toledo City, Cebu Province. For more information, please visit malungon.blogspot.com (Isagani Palma-MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).

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MALUNGON, Sarangani – SOME 49 stakeholders compose of tribal chieftains, local government officials, LGU personnel and members of the Association of the Barangay Captains undergone a 4-day  mine visit in Carmen Copper Corporation, Toledo City through the initiative of Sagittarius Mines Incorporated.  

Lauro Domondon Jr., SMI’s stakeholder education supervisor, said the educational tour was aimed at bringing stakeholders to different operating mine sites in the country to personally evaluate and observe the advantageous effects of responsible mining. 

 “This is SMI’s key initiative under its Stakeholders Education Program which aims stakeholders to avail firsthand information and knowledge on how responsible mining has able to support the local government in its social development programs such infrastructure development, access to education and health facilities and services, safeguarding of cultural values, institutional capacity building, and enterprise development,” Domondon explained. 

  

Participants led by Mayor Reynaldo F. Constantino left General Santos City Wednesday (January 30-02 February) together with Sagittarius Mines Inc. community relations project manager JoJo Josol, staff Ann Zee Luz Barroso-Laguerder, and a three-man SMI stakeholder education program team.

 

The visit was arranged to provide stakeholders with better understanding on the different mining technologies that SMI will adopt in its proposed operation in Tampakan, South Cotabato. 

             Stakeholder-participants to the Sagittarius Mines-initiated 4-day study tour lead by SMI community relations project manager JoJo Josol and Malungon municipal Mayor Bong Constantino, prepares to go airborne on board Air Philippines flight to Mactan, Cebu City.

Mayor Constantino grins as the team prepares to leave GSC International Airport. 

                SMISEPT staff Elizabeth Lencio tags on as lensman Michael Ocampo push a cart of documentation gears and luggage for boarding. Left side is Malungon LGU admin officer, Bennie Llego. 

Upon arrival in Cebu City, tour participants were billeted at Holiday Pryce Plaza, where they were asked to fill up a questionnaire purposely to determine, how far they are familiar about mining.  

Photo shows stakeholders from Malungon, Sarangani during arrival at Mactan International Airport in Cebu City. From left are LGU Assessor's head Luz Mejorada, Admin Officer Bennie Llego, Municipal Treasurer Nympha Figueroa, MSWDO Mildred Dela Cuesta, GSO Noel Ramos and some barangay captains with Agri-Flagship coordinator, Nelson Sadang.

Welcome to Cebu – Mayor Constantino gestures for a memento shot with tour participants on a facade of a welcome signage in the 'queen city of the south’ shortly after arrival in Mactan International Airport.
 

The following day (January 31, 2013), the team proceeded to Carmen Copper Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlas Consolidated Mining Development Corporation (Atlas) in Toledo City. Stakeholders were given time to travel around the processing plant where stages of dry crushing and wet grinding are being completed to reduce the ore to its liberation size, and further processing before shipment. 

 Last year, the Carmen concentrator reportedly milled 12, 236, 317 DMT of copper ore or an average milling rate of 33, 391 DMT per day. The corresponding copper concentrate produced totaled 96, 286 DMT containing 58.245 million pounds of copper, 8, 465 ounces of gold and 81, 115 oz of silver.

Aide memoire – Lauro Domondon (center), SMI stakeholder education supervisor, brief participants about Carmen Copper Corporation Thursday (January 31, 2013), while on trip to Toledo City.

A safety maintenance personnel stress the required rules to observe inside the mining premises.

Mayor Bong Constantino (center) and the team puts on their headgear before interring the copper mine processing plants.

             Carmen Copper Corporation has an operating agreement with Atlas and it has exclusive operating rights over the in-situ mineral resources and ore reserves of Carmen, Lutupan and Biga Mineral deposits, collectively known as Toledo Copper Mine Complex covering 1, 674 hectares.

Lutopan Open Pit - Tribal chieftains of Malungon, Sarangani pose for memento with Mayor Bong Constantino (center) during a study tour at the Carmen Copper Corporation’s Lutopan open pit which measures 1.70 kilometers wide and 2.10 km in length. The pit is the main source of ore fed to the mill. For more information, please visit malungon.blogspot.com (Isagani Palma-MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE)

 This is part of the Atlas mineral property covering 5, 218 hectares, consisting of 3, 284.48 Atlas-owned mining claims and 1, 934 hectares of mining claims belonging to claim-owners who have valid operating agreements with Atlas. The mining firm, which is located at the western slope of a central highland in the middle of the province, restarted the Toledo mining operation in September 2007. It is situated 17 road kilometers from Toledo City, and about 45 road kilometers from Cebu.

ROCK breaker – Datal Batong Brgy. Captain Pido Saldivia gestures with a dummy mine driller inside the Toledo City Museum in Cebu Province.

Before the participants return in Sarangani via General Santos City, Sagittarius Mines has gain lucid changes from the previous outlooks of most members of the traveling team. Tribal leaders during the culmination night gathering in Days Hotel, Toledo City, have stressed various affirmative reaction in favor of responsible mining, as to what it is being proposed by SMI in South Cotabato.

Barefooted, Blaan chief has spoken - Photo shows Tribal chieftain Galingo Caloma, a longtime anti-mining advocate and guardian of The School of Home and Living Tradition in Lamlifew Village, as he spoke in  favor of responsible mining during the culmination night of the 4-day visit in Cebu.

Light moment at Days Hotel in Toledo.

An affiliate of the Philippine-based Xstrata Copper, Sagittarius Mines Inc. is committed to developing the Tampakan Project that is located on the Southern Philippine Island of Mindanao, approximately 40 Kilometers north of General Santos City.

A replica of Lotupan Open Pit

 (NOTE Stories during the Toledo City Hall and Museo Toledo visit soon to follow)

Rep. Pacquiao solemnize induction of new MMF officials

MMF preachers’ induction – Sina Mayor Bong Constantino (4th -L), Rep. Manny Pacquiao at kabiyak na si Jinkee, maybahay ng alkalde na siya ring honorary chairperson ng MMF na si Roselyn Constantino, at Bise Mayor Benjamin Guilley kasama ang ilang mga opisyales ng lokal na pamahalaan at ng lalawigan sa gitna ng isinagawang panunumpa sa katungkulan ng mga bagong opisyales ng Malungon Ministerial Fellowship noong araw ng B’yernes (January 25, 2013) sa bayan ng Malungon, Sarangani Province.  For more information, please visit malungon.blogspot.com(JoJo (Isagani Palma-MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).

30-church preachers’ took oath as new MMF officers – Makikita sa larawan si Rep. Manny Pacquiao bilang inducting officer sa isinagawang panunumpa ng mga bagong opisyales ng Malungon Ministerial Fellowship (MMF) na binubuo ng may 30 iba’t ibang simbahan noong araw ng B’yernes (January 25, 2013) sa Malungon, Sarangani Province. (Isagani Palma-MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).

New Malungon Ministerial Fellowship Officials – Makikita ang mainit na pagbati nina Rep. Emmanuel D. Pacquiao (Inducting Officer), Mayor Reynaldo F. Constantino, municipal Councillor Jessie Dela Cruz at Vice Mayor Ben Guilley sa may 30 representante ng iba’t ibang simbahan kasunod ng panunumpa ng mga ito bilang mga bagong opisyales ng MMS noong araw ng B’yernes (January 25, 2013) sa bayan ng Malungon, Sarangani Province.  (JoJo Gocotano-MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).

Si Dyan at pamilya Jamora sa Mal’ngan – (from left) Ang kilalang ‘sports’ reporter na si Dyan Castillejo (right) at mga malalapit na kamaganak ni Jinkee Jamora-Pacquiao habang nakikiisa sa isinagawang kongregasyon hingil sa panunumpa ng mga bagong opisyales ng Malungon Ministerial Fellowship noong araw ng b’yernes (January 25, 2013) sa lalawigan ng Sarangani.  (Isagani Palma-MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).

A jubilation with ‘God’ and the MMF – (L-R) Sina municipal Councilor Mario Tan, Mayor Reynaldo ‘Bong’ Constantino, Rep. Manny D. Pacquiao at kabiyak nitong si Jinkee na tatakbo bilang bise gubernatura ng naturang lalawigan, first lady Roselyn Constantino at Bise Mayor Benjamin Guilley habang masayang umaawit ng Christians Songs kaalinsabay ng mahigit kumulang 1, 500 na m’yembro ng MMF, sa isinagawang panunumpa sa tungkulin ng mga bagong opisyales ng Malungon Ministerial Fellowship noong araw ng B’yernes (January 25, 2013) sa bayan ng Malungon, Sarangani Province. For more information, please visit malungon.blogspot.com (Isagani Palma-MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).      

MMF induction, pinasigla ni Pacman sa Mal'gan

World boxing icon inducts new MMS leaders in Mal'gan – Si Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel D. Pacquiao samtang nagahatag ini sang iya mensahe sa atubangan sang may 1, 500 ka m’yembro sang Malungon Ministerial Fellowship (MMS) nga ginalangkupan sang may 30 ka nagkalain-lain nga simbahan sa Malungon, Sarangani Province. For more information, please visit malungon.blogspot.com  (JoJo Gocotano-MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).

‘Lead like Jesus’ – Alinsunod sa tema sang ginhimo nga induction para sa bag-o nga mga opisyales sang Malungon Ministerial Fellowship (MMF) nga ginlangkupan sang may 30 ka nagkalain-lain nga mga simbahan sang Romano Katoliko, Iglesia ni Kristo, Aglipay, Baptist, Pentecostal kag iban pa, gin-pangabay ni Mayor Reynaldo ‘Bong’ Constantino ang kada pastor nga padalman pa gid ang ginahimo nga pagserbisyo, sakripisyo kag pagpakaubos para sa kaayuhan sang mga sumulunod sadtong adlaw nga B’yernes (January 25, 2013) sa banwa sang Malungon, Sarangani.  For more information, please visit malungon.blogspot.com Province. (Isagani Palma-MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).

Ministerial turn-over of responsibility – Makita ang ginhimo nga pagturn-over ni Rev. George Gevero (left), outgoing president sang Malungon Ministerial Fellowship, sang yawi sang responsibilidad yadto sa bag-o nga tagadumala sang MMF nga si Pastor Felipe Sugabo sadtong adlaw nga B’yernes (Enero 25, 2013), kasunod sang induction sang mga bag-o nga opisyales sang amo nga pundok nga gintagaan katumanan ni Rep. Manny Pacquiao sa banwa sang Malungon, Sarangani Province. For ore information, please visit malungon.blogspot.com (JoJo Gocotano-MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).

Pacman preaches about God, love and wisdom in Mal’gan –  Malumanay nga ginsaysay ni Rep. Manny Pacquiao ang pipila ka mga panglantaw sini para sa kaayuhan sang mga Sarangans, kasunod ang pagpaabot sini sang pulong sang D’yos sa ginhimo nga induction ceremony sang mga bag-o nga opisyales sang Malungon Ministerial Fellowship (MMS) sadtong adlaw nga b’yenes (Enero 25, 2013) sa banwa sang Malungon, Sarangani Province. For more information, please visit malugon.blogspot.com (JoJo Gocotano-MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).

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MALUNGON, Sarangani - AABOT sa may 1, 500 na m’yembro, lakip na ang may 500 na mga lederes mula sa 30 na iba’t-ibang simbahan ang nakibahagi sa isinagawang panunumpa sa tungkulin ng mga bagong opisyales ng Malungon Ministerial Fellowship (MMF) noong araw ng B’yernes (January 25, 2012) sa bayan ng Malungon, Sarangani Province.

Ayon kay Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao na siyang tumayo bilang inducting officer sa naturang okasyon ay bihira lamang umano mangyari ang ganitong uri ng kongregasyon na kung saan ay aktibong nagsasama-sama ang halos lahat ng uri ng relihiyon. 

“Ang nakikita po natin ngayon ay isang uri ng samahan ng mga tagapagsalita ng ating Panginoon na minsan lamang natin nasasaksihan. Kaya ikinagagalak ko po na makita ang ganitong uri ng pagkakaisa lalo na sa mga pastor na nagmula sa iba't ibang sektor ng pananampalataya,” ang turan ng nasabing Kongresista na sa kasaluyan ay kilala na rin sa buong mundo ‘di lamang bilang world boxing icon, kundi maging tagapagsalita na rin ng Maylikha.

Sa pagpunta ni Pacquiao sa Malungon ay kasama nito ang kabiyak na si Jinkee na tatakbo bilang bise gubernadora ng lalawigan, ilang malalapit na kamaganak at ang sports reporter ng ABS-CBN na si Dyan Castillejo.

Ang mga kasapi ng MMF na nagsipaglahok sa naturang pagtitipon ay mula sa relihiyong Romano Katoliko, Iglesia ni Kristo, evangelical Christian Outreach Foundation Inc., Southern Baptist Church, Alliance Church, Assembly of God, Int’l One Way Outreach Foundation Inc., Evangelical Church of God, United Pentecostal Church, Lutheran Church, Convention Baptist, Foursquare Church, Temple of God, Church of Christ, UCCP, Evangelical Bible Church, Seventh Day Adventist, Victory Chapel, Philippine Missionary Association, Jesus Christ Hope of the World, Hard Rock Ministries, Rhema Church, Church of God of the Prophecy, Apostolic Church, World Disciple Mission, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Dating Daan, Universal Church, at ng Aglipay.

Ayon kay Mayor Reynaldo ‘Bong’ Constantino, sa temang “Lead like Jesus” ay umaasa din ito ng mas mahigpit na pagkakaisa ng mga lideres ng simbahan na nasa ilalim ng samahang MMF.

“Bisan indi gid man naton maperpekto, mahimo man naton bilang mga lideres nga makaserbisyo kita sang tuod-tuod sa aton nga mga isigkatawo, regardless of our faith and religion, pareho sang ginahimo nga pagpalanga sa aton tanan sang  aton mahal nga Hesukristo,” ani Constantino.

Sa isinagawang turnover ay maingat na iniabot ni outgoing president Rev. George Gevero ang susi ng responsibilidad bilang bagong presidente ng MMF kay Pastor Felipe Sugabo ng samahang ECOFI.

Samantala, bilang Honorary Chairperson ay ipinaabot din ni Gng. Roselyn Dadivas-Constantino na siyang maybahay ng alkalde, ang labis na pasasalamat nito sa lahat ng mga dumalo’t nakibahagi sa naturang pagtitipon. (Isagani Palma-MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).

Stretching more ways to progress...

2nd Sarangani Planners Convention - Top provincial government and municipal officials are flanked by Malungon town participants in the recently concluded two-day 2nd League of Local Planning and Development Coordinators in the Philippines Inc. (LLPDCPI-Sarangani Chapter) convention at Phela Grande Hotel in General Santos City. Seated left to right are Maasim Mayor Arturo Lawa, Malungon Mayor Reynaldo ‘Bong’ Constantino, Vice Governor Steve C. Solon, Governor Migs A. Dominguez, Rep. Manny D. Pacquiao and better half Jinkee, Mayor Corazon Grafilo of Alabel and Malapatan Mayor Alfonso Singcoy. For more information, please visit malungon.blogspot.com (Brend Evangelio-Sarangani Congressional Office/ ippalma).

Sarangani Planners Forum – LLPDCPI Sarangani chapter president Nonito Nunez of Malungon town presents a variety of concerns before (2nd - right) Gov. Migs Dominguez, Rep. Manny Pacquiao (partly hidden) and Vice Gov. Steve Solon during the recently held two-day 2nd League of Local Planning and Development Coordinators in the Philippines Inc. convention at Phela Grande Hotel in General Santos City. Also in photo is the Congressman’s better half Jinkee, who is vying for the vice gubernatorial race in Sarangani. For more information, please visit malungon.blogspot.com (JoJo Gocotano-MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).

Sarangani builders of development – Malungon town Mayor Reynaldo ‘Bong’ Constantino (center) shares a healthy discussion with (from left) Governor Migs Dominguez, Alabel municipal Mayor Corazon Grafilo, Rep. Manny Pacquiao, Mayor Art Lawa of Maasim and Jinkee Pacquiao (party hidden) during the culmination of the two-day 2nd Local Planning and Development Coordinators in the Philippines Inc. (Sarangani Chapter) convention in Phela Grande Hotel, General Santos City. For more information, please visit malungon.blogspot.com (Isagani Palma-MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).

Logical PDAF distribution - Sarangani Gov. Migs Dominguez and Rep. Manny Pacquiao, during open forum, presented participants to the recently held two-day 2nd Local Planning and Development Coordinators in the Philippines Inc. (LLPDCPI-Sarangani) convention, some procedural changes in the upcoming distribution of the Congressman’s Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF)  for CY-2013, at Phela Grande Hotel in General Santos City. For more information, please visit malungon.blogspot. com (Isagani Palma-MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).

EYE IN THE SKY

EYE IN THE SKY - Aerial survey and inspection conducted by Mayor Bong Constantino and Congressional Office chief of staff Brend Evangelio on January 7, 2013, in search of possible landing grounds for Rep. Manny Pacquiao’s chopper (Ang Kamao) during the Congressman’s premeditated visit in different far flung villages of Malungon town in Sarangani Province.    (Isagani Palma/M I O)

School children rush for a ‘bless’ (kissing of the hand) and warm greet to Mayor Bong Constantino, upon arrival at KES school in Kalunbarak, a place famous of being the last ‘frontier’ of Blaan guerrillas during the Japanese occupation.

Pupils rush to meet the Mayor and Sarangani Congressman Manny Pacquiao's chief of staff, Brend Evangelio during an unexpected visit in Kalumbarak village, one of Malungon's known peaks.

Its not in Tagaytay or Baguio, but just in Kalunbarak Village of Barangay Poblacion, where the translucent formation of early morning haze swathe the break of dawn in Malungon, Sarangani Province.

A gesture of respect, in Brgy. Data Batong.

A souvenir shot with students of Datal Batong High School. 

Memento shot with villagers of Brgy Lutay, one of Malungon's farthest barangays.

A panoramic sight of the Constantino-owned vacation house in Kalunbarak Skyline, Poblacion, Malungon, Sarangani. 

Back to Baghdad, of course not in Iraq. Its a touchdown point right in Malungon town.