Contributing to a brighter future for its communities is one of the commitments of Hinatuan Mining Corporation-Tagana-an Nickel Project (HMC), a subsidiary of Nickel Asia Corp. (NAC). One way to uphold this commitment is by providing investments to support education programs. “The commitment to provide support to education is not hindered by the current pandemic, HMC continues to provide assistance to education programs such as: provision of basic school supplies, basic school fees and matriculation, monthly subsidy to day care workers and teachers and support for college students continue”, said Ms. Myline G. Becera, NAC-HMC Community Development Coordinator. “To date, HMC has a total of 19 college scholars. 16 are funded by the Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) of HMC and 3 are funded by Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)”, said Ms. Becera. Educational Support to College Scholars For Shaina G. Gemparo, 2nd year student taking BS Fishery at Surigao State College of Technology (SSCT) Malimono Campus, the support given by HMC to her education is important.  “There are many benefits I get as a college scholar from HMC. First of all, the monthly allowance I receive is crucial for me as a fisheries student studying in Malimono since we have school projects which require me to spend. “Secondly, I am thankful for the boarding house allowance since we need a place to stay in Malimono. Our mode of learning is not entirely remote, from time to time, we are required to meet at school for assignments and projects that require face to face interaction. The support provided by HMC has lessen the burden shouldered by my parents. They no longer need to spend money on my education”, she further added. Debbie G. Gemparo, a teacher by profession, is also thankful for the educational assistance provided by HMC to her daughters. Aside from Shaina, her other daughter Nikki also studies at SSCT Malimono taking up Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEED) is also a scholar of HMC. “I am grateful to HMC for supporting the tertiary education of 2 of my daughters. This is a very big help to our family. Our expenses are lessened since we no longer have to spend much for the educational needs of my daughters since they are scholars of HMC. All they need in school such as basic school fees, place to stay, and food are provided for by HMC”. Support to Remote Learning “As a student during this pandemic, the support provided by HMC is crucial since majority of our classes are conducted online. I use the monthly allowance I receive from HMC to buy WIFI and internet load. Our classes are mostly online, though there are some which require us to meet face to face. I am also thankful for the boarding house allowance of HMC, we do not have to worry where we will stay in Surigao City for classes that we are required to be present physically”, said Angelica P. Laspoña, 1st year student taking up Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSED)at SSCT Main Campus in Surigao City. Jessa R. Gemparo, 1st year student taking up BEED at SSCT Malimono Campus, also expressed her gratitude for the support provided by HMC to her as a scholar. “We use the monthly allowance we receive as scholars for internet to participate in online classes. Some of the allowance we also use as expenses when we need to attend classes in school since not all of our classes are conducted online. Our study is a mix of online and module learning. As of now, the lockdown imposed in Malimono restricts our movement as students, but does not hinder us from improving our knowledge through online learning.” “I am thankful for the opportunity provided by HMC for having me as their scholar. I do not need to ask for assistance from my family to spend for internet connection since HMC provides me with a monthly allowance. Our classes are fully online, we only go to our campus when there are projects and assignments that cannot be sent online”, said Rynelyn Diaz, a 2nd year student of Bachelor of Arts in English Language at SSCT Main Campus in Surigao City. Rodofo Diaz, a fisherman by profession and father of Rynelyn is also grateful to HMC for the scholarship given to her daughter, “The support given by HMC is a big help not only to my daughter but also to my family, Rynelyn is one of my 5 children and she is the only one studying in college.” Lester Plaza, 2nd year student taking BS Fishery at SSCT Malimono Campus, is also appreciative of the support provided by HMC. “Being a scholar of HMC has a lot of benefits, specially financially which is important in remote learning for internet connection to stay online. The monthly allowance I receive from HMC is not only advantageous to me but also to my family. I remember in the past when there was a lockdown imposed in our community as part of the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) due to local transmission of CoVID-19, we were able to buy food using the monthly college scholar allowance I saved” “I am thankful to HMC for their support, they are always there. They are our guide to help us reach our dreams”, he added.

Photo credit: Hinatuan Mining A grand slam win for a mining company simply means being the best in class in its responsible conduct of business; in its forest management and environment enhancement and protection; its social responsibility programs and in providing safety in the workplace and the communities. Hinatuan Mining Corp. (HMC), a subsidiary of Nickel Asia Corp. (NAC) sweeps major honors this year from the country’s most prestigious award-giving body in the mining industry – the Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award (PMIEA). “It’s our first time and it’s a grand slam! We still can’t believe it but that these awards were accorded to us during this most difficult time of the pandemic, makes this moment doubly exulting, everyone was emotional when the news first broke, this is the reason for our existence, says Engr. Francis Arañes, HMC’s Resident Mine Manager. HMC, with operations in Hinatuan Island, Tagana-an, Surigao del Norte, takes home the Presidential award for surface mining operations; the Best Mining Forest in the Metallic category; the winner of the Safest Surface Mining Operations; and the winner of the Safest Mining Operation; plus, the individual awards of Best Surface Safety Inspector and Best Surface Miner accorded to HMC’s employees, Aldrin L. Resullar and Jennifer Q. Inting, respectively. The PMIEA is the highest accolade awarded to a mining company.  The evaluation and assessment for this year’s awardees encountered extra challenges with the threats of COVID-19 in the backdrop where movements were limited, the economy threatened, operations delayed, and bringing services to the communities were among the biggest challenge to the company’s community workers. HMC had set its eyes on these awards for years. The company remains steadfast, focusing on specific goals that the award giving body monitors and measures, such as the actual number of hectares to be rehabilitated as mandated by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), even going outside of their areas of responsibility in supporting the Philippine National Greening Program (NGP); building a robust forest within the mine site, highlighting eco-tourism programs; setting up its host and neighboring communities to sustainable economic development programs; among other things.  And to ensure that compliance is above and beyond its mandate, HMC underscores the efficiency of reporting, of transparency, giving importance to its Information, Education and Communication (IEC) programs. “The bar in honoring mining companies has been set even higher, what with the added focus on the principles of ESG – Environment, Social and Governance – in the midst of ongoing debates about climate change,” says Engr. Aloysius C. Diaz, NAC SVP and Head of Production. Diaz says the miners, HMC in particular, are now even more cognizant of peer reviews because the world has become more critical in holding the industry accountable for a greener, healthier, and safer future. PMIEA evaluates all facets of a mining company’s responsible and sustainable business practices, keenly focusing on environmental protection and management; and ensuring the health and safety of employees and the total wellbeing of the people in the communities that they serve. The Hinatuan mine site, also known as the “Tagana-an Nickel Project”, is located in Hinatuan Island, Barangay Talavera, municipality of Tagana-an, province of Surigao del Norte. Its area of operations is within the Surigao Mineral Reservation.

Nickel Asia Corp. - Hinatuan Mining Corp. (NAC-HMC) gives additional support to Talavera United Women's Association (TUWA) by providing delivery service motorcycle and pump boat. TUWA, is one of the People's organizations (POs) supported by the Social Development and Management Program of NAC-HMC. TUWA owns and manages Island’s Pure Water Refilling Station in Barangay Talavera. The vehicles turned-over by NAC-HMC to their organization will be utilized in to transport and distribute their products to customers in Brgy. Talavera and in nearby island communities. “The support provided by NAC-HMC to TUWA is part of the company’s commitment to assist its communities in their aspiration for a sustained growth by providing investments to support livelihood programs”, said NAC-HMC Community Organizer Allan O. Bandoy Jr. He also added that the provision of delivery vehicles is a way of providing assistance to TUWA to help them expand their target market, “With the additions of the delivery service motorcycle, TUWA can deliver their products to customers far from their business location. The pump boat can also be utilized to cater to clients from neighboring island communities.” Grateful for the Support TUWA officers and members are very grateful for the support provided by NAC-HMC to their Water Refilling Business. “The delivery service motorcycle and pump boat are a welcome addition to our business. These delivery vehicles are very helpful not only to us but also to our clients as well”, said TUWA Vice President Wendelina N. Arbis. “With the addition of a delivery service motorcycle, we can supply to more customers here in our island barangay. We can deliver 5 gallons of water to clients far from our water refilling station. We can also serve clients outside of our barangay, specially those in our neighboring islands, with the help of the pump boat,” she further added. TUWA Secretary Gelba C. Escultura is also thankful for the support. “We are very grateful to NAC-HMC for their support. With the aid of the delivery service vehicles, we can accommodate more customers and our delivery boy will have an easier task.” Less Hassle for Customers “Most of our customers are housewives since they are the ones left to tend their homes when their husbands go to work. Before receiving the delivery service motorcycle from NAC-HMC, they would hire someone to get their orders from our water refilling station to their homes. Nowadays, all they need to do is to text, chat or give us a call when they need water. Placing an order and getting water from us is much easier and less hassle for our clients”, said Mrs. Arbis Mrs. Escultura also stated that, “Our customers can get water from our water refilling station without the need to go outside their homes. For those residing in Barangay Talavera, all they need to do is to ready an empty 5-gallon container in their homes and our delivery boy will get it and send it to our water refilling station to be filled, and will be delivered back to them. “For customers in other islands, they need to inform us of the number of 5-gallon containers they need filled. For example, if they need 5 5-gallon containers filled, we will deliver 5 5-gallon containers already filled and we will take 5 5-gallon empty containers,” added Mrs. Arbis. Additional Income “The addition of the delivery service motorcycle and pump boat has enabled us to cater to more customers. It also helped us gain new patrons. It also helped our business gain an additional income since we can charge an additional 5 pesos per delivery”, said Mrs. Arbis. Mrs. Escultura also added that, “some clients who previously get their water from Surigao City have transferred to us. Our prices are cheaper compared to the price of water delivered from Surigao City. With the help of the delivery service motorcycle and pump boat, we are able to accommodate and satisfy the needs of these additional customers.”