More than 1,700 school children in Pantukan Compostela Valley province have benefited from the feeding program initiated by the Pantukan Gold & Copper Project (PGCP) in cooperation with local officials. The series of feeding activities started mid-July of this year as part of the celebration of the National Nutrition Month. It is being held in various schools and day care centers around the municipality, particularly Cebulida Day Care Center, Bingag Day Care Center, Tugop Day Care and Elementary School, Lawaan Day Care and Elementary School, Upper Camili Elementary School, Kingking Day Care and Elementary School and Gumayan Elementary School. Pre-schoolers to grade six pupils were given one meal during the morning session as part of the feeding program.
Aside from the PGCP employees and local government officials, the feeding program has also drawn a lot of support from the local community. Teachers, parents, local businessmen and civic organizations have also lent a hand in organizing and facilitating each event.
“We believe that the children’s health is important to the development of the community,” says Jing Bantayan, corporate social responsibility manager. “These formative years are critical to their growth and we are happy that we have been given this opportunity to assist even in this small way.” This sentiment was echoed by Clyde Gillespie, director for environmental permitting for PGCP, “We are committed to helping the people of Pantukan in any way that we can. We look forward to many more activities like these and we hope that we will have the same level of success as we did in feeding all these kids.”
For her part, Pacita Mancao believes that it is only through these types of partnerships with concerned private enterprises like PGCP that the needs of the community can be met. “There are still so many things that need to be done in the community, but unfortunately most of the time funds are not available. That is why we are thankful to PGCP and to all the people who have been helping us meet these needs.”
