11 hours ago
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KASIBU, Nueva Vizcaya — OceanaGold (Philippines) Inc. (OGP), a publicly listed company, granted a total of P12.32 million to Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino senior high schools as part of the company's efforts to strengthen high school education in the two provinces.
Of this amount, P5.35 million worth of scientific equipment will be given to 22 Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino senior high schools offering science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects, while a P6.97-million two-story multipurpose building was turned over to the Eastern Nueva Vizcaya National High School in Didipio, Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya, for its Humanities and Social Sciences program.
Company officials and Department of Education (DepEd) Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) Regional Director Benjamin Paragas signed the memorandum of agreement (MOA) at the company's Didipio Mine, formalizing the grant to the 22 identified senior high schools offering the STEM track.
Karina Dulinayan, OGP legal manager, representing Joan Adaci-Cattiling, OGP president and general manager for external affairs and social performance, said they are hopeful that the grant will inspire students to enroll in STEM courses in the future and help teachers teach better.
"We are committed to supporting and promoting quality education because we know that education is very important. It shapes the future, not just of our children, but also of our country. We continue to mine responsibly and sustainably so that benefits to our stakeholders continue to flow," Dulinayan said.
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"With these instruments, aside from the fact that they will learn, we hope that they will also be interested in enrolling in courses related to science and technology, engineering and mathematics," she added.
The STEM track is also the foundation of college courses that are being accepted under OGP's Development of Mining Technology and Geosciences (DMTG) Scholarship.
OGP's DMTG program funded the equipment donation, consisting of several scientific instruments such as analytical and PH balances, spectrophotometers, trinocular and biological microscopes, interactive television sets and robotic kits.
Meanwhile, the multipurpose building was financed by the company's 2023 and 2024 Development of Host and Neighboring Communities program.
The DMTG and DHNC are components of OGP's Social Development Management Program (SDMP). The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in Region 2 approved the donation when OGP proposed it for inclusion in its SDMP program.
Paragas underscored the unity of all stakeholders in working together to give the best education to schoolchildren.
"Thank you for always looking at education. The resources that you fuel to support basic education needs will surely redound to the holistic development of our learners. We cannot do that alone...that is not the responsibility of DepEd alone, but this is a communal responsibility, hence, we appreciate your presence and your full support to the Department of Education. Maraming, maraming salamat (Thank you)," said Paragas.
"We unite as happy people working together because we want to win our battle of providing the best education for our schoolchildren, the hope of this country, the leaders who will soon take our places in 10, 15, 20 years to come. Thank you," added Paragas.
The P12.32-million donation is also aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly goal No. 4, which is achieving quality education. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources recently mandated mining companies to align their social development plans with the SDGs.
MGB Region 2 Director Mario Ancheta, and Orlando Manuel and Madelyn Macalling, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino Schools Division superintendents, respectively, witnessed the STEM MOA signing.
Barangay (village) Didipio officials, led by barangay kagawad Simplicia Ananayo, representing village chief Henry Guay, officials and teachers of Nueva Vizcaya Schools Division Office and Eastern Nueva Vizcaya National High School also joined the MGB, Nueva Vizcaya DepEd and OGP officials in the building turnover.
OGP operates the Didipio Mine, an underground gold-copper mine that straddles the provinces of Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino on the island of Luzon.
The company entered into a Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) with the Philippine government in June 1994. The FTAA's initial term ended in June 2019 and was confirmed renewed in July 2021 with the execution of the FTAA Addendum and Renewal Agreement.
