OceanaGold sponsors vocational, tech'l scholars

MANILA, Philippines - Recognizing the role of skilled workers in construction, OceanaGold (Phils.) Inc. has sponsored the vocational and technical trainings of 65 bona fide residents of Barangay Didipio and nearby municipalities, whom the firm said, will be given priority in the hiring of additional workers at its mine site in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya.

Their three-month training at the Technical Education and Skills Development (TESDA) in Kasibu and Tuguegarao City, was funded by OceanaGold at a total cost of P896,850. It was made in coordination with the Didipio Community Development Corporation (Dicorp), a service-oriented firm headed by its business development manager, Lyra Cedeno.

 “Those who had been trained in plumbing and masonry, shield metal arc welding, electrical installation and maintenance at TESDA, will be given priority to work with us,” said Chito Gozar, OceanaGold senior vice president for communications and external affairs.

Construction workers are presently working full blast at the gold-copper mine site facilities of OceanaGold in Barangay Didipio in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya. “We are targeting to start commercial production in the first quarter of 2013,” Gozar said.

Over a hundred workers directly hired by contractors of the mining firm are undertaking the construction of infrastructure facilities including the upgrading of the project’s access roads.

Gozar said OceanaGold’s operation will benefit people not only in the community where its mining site is located but even people from far-flung areas. This, he said, will be through direct jobs during construction and indirect jobs during commercial operation.

Even before it starts operation, OceanaGold has already been implementing various projects for the community including reforestation and environmental programs, road and school building, medical missions, and scholarship program, which are all in line with its goal of sustainable growth and development.