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.

Graduation and Distribution of Starter Toolkits and turn-over of Desktop Computers to Cantugas Cultural National High School Hinatuan Mining Corp. (HMC), a subsidiary of Nickel Asia Corp. (NAC), has turned over 3 computer desktops and printers to Cantugas Cultural National High School during the Graduation and Distribution of Starter Toolkits at Cantugas Gym, Mainit, Surigao del Norte. The graduation ceremony was for the students of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), who completed the Animal Production (Poultry Chicken) NC II course. The activity was attended by TESDA Caraga Regional Director Tarhata S. Mapandi, Provincial Director Catalina O. Tacubao, Supervising TESD Specialist Buenafe G. Enaya, and Surigao del Norte College of Agriculture and Technology (SNCAT) College Administrator Abegail B. Eupeña. Municipal Mayor Crisanta O. Mondano and Mainit Sangguniang Bayan Members, Brigadier General George L. Banzon of the 901st Infantry Brigade, Lt. Col. Ryan Callanta of the 30th Infantry Brigade, Dr. Ma. Teresa M. Real Superintendent of DepEd Surigao del Norte, and the Indigenous People (IPs) of Cantugas with their Brgy. Captain Hon. Perfecto G. Galvez also attended. On behalf of Engr. Francisco J.  Arañes, Jr., Resident Mine Manager; Michelle V. Baliña, Surigao Liaison Office (SLO) Manager, represented HMC during the graduation and turnover ceremony. The activity was conducted in line with the mantra “TESDA, Abot Lahat” of Secretary Isidro S. Lapeña, Caraga Cares of RD Mapandi, President Rodrigo Duterte’s Legacy on Barangyanihan Caravan, and implementation of Executive Order (EO) 70 programs carried out through Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) chaired by TESDA. EO 70 or the “Institutionalizing the Whole of Nation Approach in Attaining Inclusive and Sustainable Peace and Creating the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC)” was signed last November 2018 to institutionalize 12 Lines of Effort to address the different aspects of the local communist armed conflict. One of the 12 Lines under the NTF-ELCAC is the Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) being led by TESDA. It aims to develop self-reliant, productive, resilient, and sustainable communities through harmonized and culturally responsive development programs, including Indigenous Peoples in far-flung areas of the country. Brig. Gen. George L. Banzon of the 901st Infantry Brigade in Surigao del Norte expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the government agencies and private organizations that made the event possible. “Thank you very much HMC for the support your company has provided. Everything needed was already provided by HMC, they did not only send desktop computers, they also included the Operating System (OS) of the computers and also 3 printers,” said Brig. Gen. Banzon. He also reminded everyone about the importance of working together. “In anything we do, a helping hand is always appreciated. Tasks can be accomplished faster if we have someone to work with. Like what happened today, we worked together with various government agencies and private companies. There is nothing we cannot do if we work together. Thank you again HMC for answering the call of those in need.” TESDA Provincial Director Catalina O. Tacubao also expressed her gratitude to HMC. “We are grateful for the support HMC has provided. Indeed, we can achieve anything as long as we work together for a common goal,” she said.

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.”