For the extractive industry, sustainability extends beyond environmental protection and regulatory compliance. It also means helping host communities build the capacity to create livelihoods, strengthen local enterprises, and become more economically resilient.
Reaffirming this commitment, Hinatuan Mining Corporation–Tagana-an Nickel Project (HMC-TNP) conducted a three-day Cooperative Strategic Planning and Business Plan Formulation Training from July 28 to 30, 2026, at the Parkway Hotel in Surigao City.
The program brought together members of three HMC-TNP-supported cooperatives for intensive sessions on cooperative governance, strategic planning, and business development. The initiative is part of the company’s broader approach to community development, with the goal of strengthening local enterprises and creating economic opportunities that can endure beyond the mine life.
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Building Stronger Cooperatives
The training was conducted in partnership with key government institutions. Ms. Liza Lorine P. Mercader, CDS II of the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), facilitated a Post-Registration Orientation for Newly Registered Cooperatives, covering legal compliance, statutory responsibilities, and sound organizational governance.
Meanwhile, Ms. Ma. Rebecca E. Bagnol, Provincial Cooperative and Development Officer, led the strategic planning and business plan formulation sessions. Participants were guided in translating community needs and priorities into practical strategies, sustainable business models, and achievable organizational goals.
The program benefited three community-based cooperatives from HMC-TNP’s impact areas: the Bagong Silang United Fishermen Cooperative, Campandan Community Fishermen Cooperative, and Talavera Empowered Women’s Consumer Cooperative.
Through practical exercises on business planning, financial forecasting, and operational management, participants gained tools to improve decision-making, strengthen enterprise operations, explore financing opportunities, and diversify their sources of livelihood.
Investing in Community Resilience
For mining companies operating in resource-rich regions such as Surigao del Norte, strengthening human and institutional capacity is an important dimension of sustainable development. Supporting cooperatives provides communities with opportunities to build enterprises based on local skills, resources, and economic needs.
The initiative also highlights the importance of inclusive community development. By supporting both coastal fishing communities and women-led cooperatives, HMC-TNP is helping expand opportunities for grassroots participation in the local economy.
“Equipped with new skills, clearer strategic direction, and practical business plans, these cooperatives are taking bold steps toward self-reliance and long-term economic growth,” said Antonio Resuera Jr., ComRel Manager.
For HMC-TNP, the training reflects a broader principle of responsible mining: the value generated by resource development should contribute not only to present economic activity but also to lasting opportunities for host communities.
By investing in people, strengthening local institutions, and helping cooperatives build viable enterprises, HMC-TNP continues to support a more resilient local economy—one capable of creating opportunities long after the end of the mine’s life.
