BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO
QUEZON, Nueva Vizcaya: The British FCF Minerals Corporation has been nominated for the Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award (PMIEA), Mining Forest Program (MFP) and Safest Surface Mines Awards, according to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in Region 2.
Regional Director Mario Ancheta of MGB Region 2 said a national validation team from the MGB central office visited on October 13-14, 2022 the mining firm in Runruno village to conduct an onsite validation as a nominee in said awards.
Ancheta said the objective of the on-site validation was to assess and evaluate the Safety and Health, Environmental and Social Development or SHES accomplishments and performances of FCF Minerals Corporation within the competition coverage period.
He said the final deliberation and review by the National Executive Committee (NEC) will be on October 26 and the PMIEA selection committee on October 27.
“The awarding ceremony to be held in Baguio City will be joined by mining companies and many others in the extractive industry nationwide,” Ancheta said.
He said the event is in line with the celebration of the 68th Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference or ANMSEC Testimonial Dinner and Annual Awards Night on November 18, 2022, at CAP-John Hay Trade and Cultural Center.
The validating team was composed of Joey Nelson Ayson, PMIEA Selection Committee Member; Juvy Ladisla MFP-NEC Member; PMIEA Technical Working Group composed of Engr. Alfredo Faustino, Carol Linn Samonte, Engr. Ivy Kimberly Batecan and Julie Anne Balanag.
In his remarks during the validation, Ayson said he was also interested in what a company like FCF Minerals can do beyond compliance which are little things that can be done to help and improve people’s lives. “I always believe that the people are your best assets, your stakeholders are your best assets.”
Also joining the national team were Demetrio Corsino, Jose Delos Santos, Jr., Elmer Gacutan and Engr. Romeo Watchorna Jr. from MGB.