Caraga mining firms spend P73.5M for COVID-19 response

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte - Member-companies of the Chamber of Mines of Caraga Region Incorporated (CMCRI) have already spent a total of P73.567 million in their respective mining communities and surrounding areas to help the government ease the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis.

CMCRI is composed of large-scale mining firms and mineral processing companies that either have active operations in Caraga region or are in ‘care and maintenance’ status. Based on the consolidated reports received by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau-Region 13 (MGB-13), a total of 14 mining and mineral processing companies under CMCRI have readily responded to the call of the national government to help affected communities that are struggling following the imposition of lockdowns or quarantine measures. These containment measures restrict the movement of people and temporarily shuttered businesses, prompting the government to ration food and other essential services to residents, even as it called on the private sector to help. CMCRI member-companies spread in the region’s five provinces immediately heeded to the call of President Rodrigo Duterte, who has earlier signed the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act [Republic Act No. 11469] to boost the government’s response to the pandemic. Of the total cash aid as of May 13, CMCRI member-companies released the following amount per province: Agusan Sur - P5.19M; Agusan NorteP4.001M; Surigao Sur - P9.043M; Surigao Norte - P52.388M; Dinagat Islands - P2.945M. CMRI emphasized that the running figures are still subject for auditing and validation of MGB-13. Further, the region’s premier mining organization has also committed to spend some P105.903 million based on the realigned budgets mandated by MGB for COVID-19 assistance and other relevant purposes. (CMCRI)