Photo: The weavers who work hand in hand with HMC producing jobo pots and other weaving products
The weavers in Sitio Campandan, in the island of Hinatuan, have been contracted by Hinatuan Mining Corp. (HMC), a subsidiary of Nickel Asia Corp. (NAC), to produce 5000 seedling pots made of ‘pandan dagat’ (pandanus tectorius) which they call “jobo pots” in a per-contract arrangement worth P25,000. HMC engages the weavers as part of the mining company’s ESG initiatives.
Rigena Perales is a 58-year old resident of Sitio Campandan and she understands the value add they contribute to HMC’s goal of getting rid of plastics used for seedling pots and helping augment the income of the people in the island.
“Nakakatulong sa amin ang ganitong pinagkakakitaan nakakatulong pa kami sa gusto ng HMC na hindi na sana gumamit ng plastic para sa mga seedling pots dahil mabuti sa kalikasan,” Perales confirms.
HMC is seriously adhering to the global clamor of employing ESG criteria in evaluating, measuring, and reporting about the company’s impacts to the aspects of Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG).
“With all the deliberations about climate change and business sustainability it has become critical that our business moves are intertwined with ESG concerns and engaging the communities is a necessary aspect” says Engr. Francis J. Arañes, Resident Mine Manager.
Arañes explains that it’s the whole process of sustainability that HMC is aiming for. Right now, 40% of their seedling pots are “jobo pots” the big goal is at least 80% before the end of next year.
Jomer D. Tiamson, HMC Environment Manager, says it entails cost because a plastic seedling bag is twenty-five centavos apiece (P0.25) while a ‘jobo pot’ which they buy from the weavers costs the company Five Pesos each (P5.00)
“It is costly but whoever said that caring for the environment is cheap. Besides, we are covering all the letters of ESG in this proposition – protecting the environment in adherence to the ‘no single use of plastic’ campaign; aim to uplift the lives of the people in the communities where we operate; and adherence to the mandate of the government as a responsible mining company.”
