THE Didipio Mine turned over a two-storey multi-purpose building (phase 1) funded under the Community Development Fund (CDF) project to Barangay (village) Pedlisan in Maddela town in Quirino on August 19, 2024.
The building which has a fully functional first floor was officially accepted by Pedlisan barangay captain Frederick Songadan.
Songadan said that the building is the result of Didipio Mine’s commitment to social development and hopes for the continuation of the mine’s operation.
“This [multi-purpose building] is the fruit of OceanaGold’s social obligation to its neighboring barangays,” Songadan said.
“We hope that OceanaGold will have a continuous operation as years go by,” he added.
Meanwhile, CDF Steering Committee member Elmor Villaruel, who also represented Quirino Governor Dakila “Dax” Cua emphasized collaboration in community development.
“We will prosper if we are united, and we work together. Our [barangay, municipal and provincial] local government and private organizations like OceanaGold, if we work together, we can do a lot for development,” Villaruel said in Filipino.
Lemuel Rey Maranion, Maddela town municipal planning and development coordinator; Gabino Mamilig, Pedlisan former barangay captain; and Desiree Baldevino; Didipio Mine External Affairs and Communications acting manager; and community residents were present during the ceremony.
The building is temporarily being used as a daycare center for the children in the community. LEANDER C. DOMINGO