BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO
FCF Minerals Corporation has participated in 2021 Brigada Eskwela, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Education (DepEd) that mobilizes thousands of volunteers to do cleaning and repairs in schools which kicked off on August 3 and will end on September 30.
The DepEd’s Brigada Eskwela or the National Schools Maintenance partners with parents, alumni, civic groups, local businesses, non-government organizations, teachers, students and individuals who volunteer their time and skills to do maintenance and repairs of public elementary and secondary schools.
Through its Community Relations Office, FCF Minerals participated in the 2021 Brigada Eskwela at Runruno Elementary School with the theme “ Sama-sama sa Bayanihan Para sa Paaralan” on August 26, 2021.
According to the DepEd, this year’s slogan of Brigada Eskwela, Sama-sa sa Bayanihan para sa Paaralan was adopted as the theme to emphasize the country’s collective efforts in promoting collaboration for safe living and addressing social issues and concerns in schools, at homes and in the community.
The DepEd said parents, alumni, teachers, students, organizations and individuals who volunteer their time and skills to do repairs, maintenance work, and clean-up of public elementary and secondary schools. This activity is held simultaneously across the country.
Along with the parents and teacher at Runruno Elementary School, the FCF Minerals team pulled weeds, watered the plants and cleaned the surroundings of the school.
Country manager James Carmichael of FCF Minerals said a mining firm is not one among the companies not allowed to join Birgada Eskwela.
DepEd Order No. 6, s. 2012 also known as “Guidelines on the Adoption and Implementation of Public Health Policies on Tobacco Control and Protection against Tobacco Industry Interference,” states that receiving assistance or support from companies and other players in the tobacco industry for Brigada Eskwela is not allowed.
Around 300 kilometers north of Manila, FCF Minerals, a Londo-based mining firm, operates in Runruno village in Quezon town in Nueva Vizcaya its Gold-Molybdenum Project under a financial or technical assistant agreement or FTAA with the Philippine government.