OceanaGold upgrades water systems in mine site

MANILA, Philippines - As part of its continuing community development program, OceanaGold Mining (Phils.) has recently upgraded the water systems at its mine site in Barangay Didipio in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya, which it has funded through the Didipio Community Development Inc. (DCDAI).

Lucita Exconde, sustainability senior manager of OceanaGold, said there are several domestic water systems within Didipio which her firm has funded through the DCDAI, a community-based group composed of the tribal council, educators, cooperatives, people’s organizations and religious and professionals of Barangay Didipio.

She said the water system that had recently been upgraded was the Pimmadek 2 which involved the replacement of pipe networks and installation of water meters.

“The metering system introduced in the Pemmadek 2 water system is part of the sustainability plans for the water project,” Exconde said.

According to her, the 34 household beneficiaries of the water works project will become actively involved in the maintenance and management of their own water system.

Earlier, OceanaGold conducted a Community Based Participatory Planning (CBPP) workshop among the residents in the said barangay to identify priority projects that will benefit the community, such as the improvement of its water facilities.

 “Improving its water facilities is the top priority in our list of other important projects for the community which we hope will be very beneficial to all  and will have a far-reaching impact in the area,” said Chito Gozar, OceanaGold vice president for communications and external affairs.

He said as part of its objective of sustainable development, it will continue to carry out its livelihood, reforestation, environment, health and education and other community programs that will benefit not only the residents in Didipio but also those in the neighboring communities.