BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO
QUEZON, Nueva Vizcaya (December 24)—Partnering in the development of its host communities, the FCF Minerals Corp. has constructed at least two infrastructure projects in Barangay Runruno here.
John Babliing, Runruno village chief, these projects were the Runruno National High School K to 12 Workshop Building and Runruno Daycare Center in Sitio (sub-village) Compound.
He said the two infrastructure projects were funded under the London-based FCF Minerals’ Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) under its financial or technical assistance agreement or FTAA issued by the Philippine government.
“These building infrastructures will help our youth in their quest for quality education so that they will become responsible villagers for our community’s progress and development,” Babliing said.
James Carmichael, FCF Minerals country manager, said these SDMP-funded projects are anchored on their company’s Access to Education and Educational Support Program under the Development of Host and Neighboring Communities or DHNC.
“As of third quarter, FCF Minerals has a total of nine other infrastructure projects in our host communities that have been completed including the construction of Multi-purpose Halls, Teacher’s Cottage, School Stage, Perimeter Fences and covered cut walk, all under the SDMP, Carmichael said.
Owned 100 percent by the British Metals Exploration Plc, FCF Minerals operates the national government-sanctioned Runruno Gold-Molybdenum Project under the FTAA with the government that has an initial validity of 25 years.
Located around 300 kilometers north of Manila, FCF expects to produce at its mine site an estimated 1.3 million ounces of gold for 10 years in Runruno village.