Mining Contributions: Boosting Local Development and Responding to Flooding Challenges in Caraga Region

 BUTUAN CITY – 

Contributions from mining firms in the form of business taxes and regulatory fees play a crucial role in supporting development projects in two local government units (LGUs) in the Caraga Region.

In statements released on Monday, the LGUs of Claver in Surigao del Norte and Cagdianao in Dinagat Islands emphasized that the payments they receive from mining companies significantly bolster their revenues, enabling them to finance various development initiatives.

In Claver, the Taganito Mining Corporation delivered PHP72.2 million on Jan. 19, representing local business taxes and other regulatory fees.

Simultaneously, the Cagdianao LGU reported a payment of PHP29,571,035.18 made by the Cagdianao Mining Corporation – Nickel Asia Corporation.

The taxes collected from the mining company are earmarked to enhance public services and provide livelihood opportunities for marginalized sectors such as poor farmers and fisherfolk in the town, according to the Cagdianao LGU.

Aid for flood-affected areas in Mati City

Meanwhile, families affected by floods in the host communities of Hallmark Mining Corporation (HMC) in Mati City, Davao Oriental, received food assistance through a series of distribution activities over the weekend and on Monday.

In a statement on Monday, HMC Community Relations Manager Arvin Carlom stated that 284 families, comprising 1,704 individuals, were directly impacted by flooding since the previous week.

Mati City and the rest of Davao Oriental experienced light to heavy rains on Jan. 18 and 19 due to the shear line.

The affected families received relief items, including five kilograms of rice, assorted canned goods, noodles, milk, coffee, sugar, biscuits, hygiene kits, toothpaste, bath soaps, and detergent bars.

Furthermore, HMC refuted an earlier report claiming that 300 of their workers were trapped on the night of Jan. 18 in the Salincomot area in Sitio Magum, Barangay Macambol.

“They (250 miners) were only stranded for a short period due to adverse weather conditions, which brought floods and damaged access roads leading back to our camp in Sitio Magum,” HMC clarified in a statement.

The company stated that 114 of their stranded miners were sent home the same night, while the rest chose to remain at the mine site and camped on higher grounds. (PNA)