Building lasting relationships with host communities requires more than delivering projects—it demands trust, patience, and genuine partnership, according to the community relations manager of TVI Resource Development Philippines Inc. (TVIRD).
Kahlil Pope Tabernero, who oversees community relations for TVIRD's Agata, Balabag, and Siana mining projects, said successful community development depends on working alongside local residents rather than imposing solutions.
"Development only works when it is done in partnership with the communities, and not for them," Tabernero said.
He said community engagement often begins in areas where mining companies are viewed with skepticism because of previous experiences.
"Trust is built through actions and respect for people's life experiences and culture," he said, adding that communities need to see consistent actions over time before they gain confidence in development initiatives.
Tabernero said his approach has been shaped by years of working with communities that have different experiences with development, including Indigenous Peoples, where cultural traditions and customary practices play a central role in decision-making.
He said meaningful engagement requires listening to community concerns and involving residents in decisions that affect their livelihoods and the environment.
"There were moments when decisions had to be made under great uncertainty, and not everyone could be satisfied despite the company's best efforts," he said. "You cannot simply impose solutions. You have to work through them together."
Tabernero said his interest in community development was influenced by his upbringing in a family involved in public service and community work.
He said the experience taught him that development initiatives become more sustainable when communities actively participate in shaping them.
The work, however, often requires personal sacrifice.
Tabernero said field assignments have meant missing birthdays, holidays, and other family occasions to respond to community needs.
In April, a motorcycle accident temporarily halted his fieldwork, giving him a different perspective after becoming a recipient of support from colleagues and the company's management during his recovery.
"They treated me like family," he said.
For Tabernero, the success of community programs is measured not only by project completion but by their long-term impact.
He cited scholarship recipients who complete their education, livelihood initiatives that grow into sustainable businesses, and communities that eventually become less dependent on company assistance as indicators of successful development.
"These are signs that programs have gained the proper momentum," he said.
He added that community development requires patience and long-term commitment, noting that projects may eventually conclude, but the relationships established with host communities endure.
"Projects eventually end, but relationships remain," Tabernero said.
TVIRD said it continues to implement community development programs across its mining operations as part of its commitment to promoting sustainable development and improving the quality of life in its host communities.
