DENR-MGB approves joint ICC and MPCC Social Dev’t Program

The implementation of the blueprint for community development planned by Iligan Cement Corp. and Mindanao Portland Cement Corp. for their communities in the next five years has been given the green light by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Mines and Geosciences Bureau (DENR-MGB).

This came after the DENR-MGB director Horacio Ramos signed the certificate of the unified Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) of ICC and MPCC on Sept. 3, 2003 in the presence of ICC President Rene Sunico and ICC vice president for operations Pascual Austria.

"The SDMP is an important management tool for the development and implementation of community programs and projects in a mining area, in consultation and in partnership with the host and neighboring communities. The DENR-MGB appreciates what ICC has done to promote a harmonious relationship with its communities even before the approval of their SDMP," director Ramos emphasized.

ICC president Rene Sunico said the SDMP is "a proof of the long-term commitment to see the communities develop as the companies develop."

Austria for his part said the SDMP manifest the concern of the two companies to actively participate in the social development of the host communities and the city of Iligan in general. "Although we have been doing health programs, giving educational assistance, launching long-term livelihood programs and environmental projects, the certificate simply affirms the genuine commitment of ICC and MPCC to be responsible social corporate citizens by taking part in advancing the lives of the communities."

The recently approved SDMP lines up various livelihood programs, medical and dental services, educational assistance and environmental programs. This year, ICC and MPCC have already embarked on livelihood programs like packbag-making for women’s cooperative, livestock raising seminars, rag and bread making and conducted basic management seminars to organized cooperatives. The companies have also granted scholarships, donated books to public elementary and high schools, extended medical and dental services, donated pump boasts to fishermen’s cooperative and conducted three-planting activities.