Ipilan Nickel Corporation (INC), in partnership with the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), conducted a two-day planning activity for its Host and Neighboring Communities (HNC), comprising the barangays of Maasin, Mambalot, Ipilan, and Calasaguen in the municipality of Brooke’s Point, Palawan. The activity focused on the annual Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) planning for 2027 and preparations for the second five-year cycle of the SDMP.
The gathering began with messages and reminders from INC management, representatives of MGB MIMAROPA, and the local government unit (LGU) of Brooke’s Point. This was followed by presentations of proposed projects identified by various sectors in the barangays for SDMP funding, as required under the government-mandated program.
The two-day activity centered on focus group discussions (FGDs) to ensure that each proposed project was carefully planned and would contribute to sustainable community development in the coming years. Representatives of MGB MIMAROPA guided participants in identifying appropriate projects. With their assistance, the participants identified projects aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The representatives also explained the measures needed to ensure that the programs and projects comply with DENR Administrative Order No. 2025-10.
In addition to MGB, representatives of the Brooke’s Point LGU provided guidance through the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) and the Municipal Planning and Development Office (MPDO). They discussed priority projects that would deliver meaningful and practical benefits to residents of each barangay.
The two-day planning activity concluded with the leadership of each barangay presenting projects expected to be sustainable and beneficial to their respective communities. INC assured participants that the proposed projects would undergo thorough evaluation to ensure alignment with the SDGs, strengthen social development, and promote inclusive, long-term, and sustained progress across the communities.
