A new approach to the Didipio Mine’s community development programs is being implemented this year, which aims to expand the mine’s reach beyond the provinces of Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino, ensuring the benefits of having a global miner in the region are felt by more communities.
Two new funds aimed at building community capacity and resilience have been added to the Didipio Mine’s substantial community program in line with new terms and conditions agreed to as part of the Financial or Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) renewal.
The Community Development Fund and the Provincial Development Fund are resourced through an additional 1.5 per cent of the mine’s gross mining revenue to deliver programs that meet the needs of the region and its people. The CDF was launched in July, 2022 in collaboration with the mine’s regulator, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau.
Didipio Mine’s External Affairs and Social Performance Manager Marjorie Idio said the team was excited about the opportunity to be a catalyst for significant positive social change in the region.
“In funding programs outside the host and neighbouring communities, our strategy is to connect multiple agencies and expand our social footprint to communities in the greater Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino area,” Ms Idio said.
“While we have been deeply involved with our two host provinces over many years through the delivery of our Social Development Management Plan, the Community Development Fund allow us to share the benefits of the Didipio Mine outside our immediate community.
“We hope similar companies can replicate the program in the future, further expanding the social impact and building more resilience across the region.”
The Funds will be administered through a grant program. Project proposals developed by local organisations will need to align with the mine’s seven pillars of benefit-sharing:
- Infrastructure
- Enterprise Development
- Socio-cultural or IP Program
- Capacity Building
- Disaster Response/Management and Environment
- Health
- Education.
New projects focusing on the infrastructure needs of the region will commence in Q4, 2022.
Each project will receive up to ₱3 Million to provide farm-to-market networks and connections to evacuation centres. However, there will be a strong focus on building capabilities of project proponents to craft complete project proposals – not just one-off construction projects – a skill they can use for future improvement initiatives.
Project Sponsor, Joan Adaci-Cattiling, said the goal of the Community Development Fund was to set up the basis for a self-reliant and resilient community.
“The greatest contribution we can make is the legacy we will leave behind. It’s all about purposeful giving,” Ms Adaci-Cattiling said.
About the Funds
The Community Development Fund is delivered in collaboration and partnership with relevant local government units, community groups, organisations, Indigenous peoples, or Indigenous cultural communities to determine its plan and implementation. Importantly, there is a huge emphasis on widespread participation among multiple community stakeholders to deliver programs that have broad benefits and purpose, and to build effective partnerships to foster learning and continuous improvement.
The Provincial Development Fund prioritises improvements that are meaningful, substantial, and lasting. To achieve this, the Didipio Mine team consults the provincial local government units of Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino to ensure the projects and activities funded by the PDF align with their respective provincial development plans and meet the community’s needs.
