FCF Minerals distributes sacks of rice to residents of Quezon, Nueva Vizcaya

Tuguegarao City, Cagayan- FCF Minerals Corporation’s gold-molybdenum project in Brgy. Runruno, Quezon, Nueva Vizcaya ensures its commitment to the residents by helping them overcome the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) disease crisis.

Host communities of FCF Minerals Corp. received Php 1.5 Million worth of rice assistance from the realigned Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) budget of the company.

FCF Minerals distributed sacks of rice to at least 4,000 households to its host communities in the Municipality of Quezon, Nueva Vizcaya and in Brgy. Tadji in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya.

Further, Thirty-three frontliners from Brgy. Papaya in Kasibu also received grocery items from the company.

This is pursuant to the memorandum of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau authorizing all regional offices to allow mining companies to realign their total unspent 2019 SDMP budget to help the affected impact and non-impact communities due to COVID-19.

Didipio Mine extends help to fight coronavirus disease

Tuguegarao City, Cagayan- OceanaGold’s Didipio Gold and Copper project in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya had taken immediate actions in line with the efforts of the government to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease.

Despite the restraint of OceanaGold’s operation since July 2019, the company extended assistance to its various stakeholders within the provinces of Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino.

OceanaGold donated 100 pieces of 3M FFP2 masks (N95 equivalent) to Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Health Office, Quirino Province Medical Center, Municipal Health Office, and Barangays of Kasibu.

Further, the company likewise gave 100 pieces FFP2 masks (N95 equivalent), 50 pieces goggles, 75 pieces cover-alls, 10 pieces bed mats, and 10 boxes of nitrile disposal gloves to Region 2 Trauma Medical Center (VRH) in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya last 28 March 2020.

OGPI has already implemented its COVID-19 assistance to its host barangay Didipio, neighboring communities, and other stakeholders in the provinces of Quirino and Nueva Vizcaya through distribution of food packs, medicines, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

MGB Region 2 implements preventive measures against covid-19

Tuguegarao City, Cagayan- The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. II implemented various measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus disease in the workplace.

On 13 March 2020, RD Mario A. Ancheta gave a short briefing regarding the covid-19 outbreak. After the meeting, he led the distribution of face masks for each employee in the Bureau. The face masks will be used in the office especially when transacting with clients.

RD Ancheta called his staff for an emergency meeting on 16 March 2020 to discuss the preventive measures of MGB ROII against COVID-19. Employees wore their face masks and observed social distancing during the staff meeting.

During the meeting, RD informed all his staff that the scheduled ISO recertification workshop was cancelled as a preventive measure of MGB to stop the spread of coronavirus disease.

On the other hand, RD Ancheta likewise notified the body on the CSC Circular no. 7 series of 2020 regarding the alternative work arrangement options and parameters. The OIC Finance and Administrative Division Imee Gatan- Agaloos provided for the work schedules for employees to choose (Mondays to Thursdays- 7:30- 6:30, Tuesdays to Fridays- 7:30-6:30, and Monday to Fridays (8:00 – 5:00).

Also discussed during the meeting was the cancellation of all IEC activities as well as fieldworks of MGB ROII employees. 

Further, MGB ROII delegates from recently held MGBEA seminar in Zamboanga City were asked to undergo a 14-day home quarantine to ensure everyone’s safety.

On 17 March 2020, the regional director again called for a short meeting to discuss the work from home arrangement. Outputs of employees shall be monitored by their respective division chiefs.

Each employee was also given a tissue roll and wipes as a necessary measure of the agency to prevent the spread of COVID 19 infection in the workplace.

Prior to the meetings, RD Ancheta already instructed the Finance and Administrative Division to provide alcohol and hand sanitizer at the lobby and MGB ROII comfort rooms. Use of biometrics by employees was also temporarily suspended. Employees used log book for their time in and time out where the security guard in-charge strictly monitored the log of employees.

MGB ROII clients were also temporarily entertained at the lobby to avoid the spread of the virus at the workplace.

Thermometer was also given to each employee to regularly monitor their body temperature.

Information bulletin regarding COVID 19 was also provided where relevant updates, issuances, and preventive measures were pasted for employees to read on.

MGB ROII likewise initiated a disinfection activity in the office premises. This was participated in by all its employees.

Prior to the work from home arrangement of the Bureau, MGB ROII issued client advisories to properly inform its clienteles regarding the temporary work arrangement of its staff.  However, during the community quarantine in Luzon, RD Ancheta designated Engr. Felix Matanguihan as skeletal force in the Bureau to render urgent services. Also, communication lines among all employees are likewise open and easily accessible this is to ensure smooth workflow of the office despite the quarantine. Records Officer Marie Rose Tangan is also monitoring updates, requests, and applications through MGB ROII electronic mail to avoid disruption of work.

FCF gives aid for frontline health workers

BAMBANG, Nueva Vizcaya, April 2 (PIA) – FCFMinerals Corporation recently donated items to the provincial government to help frontline health workers in mitigating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Edwin Galapon, Provincial Health Officer and head of the Inter-Agency Task Force on COVID-19 (IATF COVID-19) said FCF Minerals Corporation donated 25 gallons of alcohol and thousands of face masks.

“These items will be given to our frontline health workers who are risking their lives to contain the COVID-19 infection,” he said.

Galapon also urged other benevolent individuals and organizations to donate Personal Protective Equipments(PPEs) for health workers.

He said the   IATF-COVID-19 is in need PPEs to boost the resources of hospitals and their frontline health workers to fight the COVID-19 .# Benjamin Moses M. Ebreo/PIA 2-Nueva Vizcaya