LEGAZPI CITY — Some P658,806 for community development and public relations programs were spent during the 4th quarter of 2006 by the quarry and cement plant project of Ibalong Resources and Development Corporation/Goodfound Cement Corp. (IRDC/GCC) in Camalig, Albay.

        Barangays Palanog, Miti, Bariw, Quibongbongan and Tagaytay in Camalig and Barangay Mauraro in Guinobatan benefited enormously from Social Development and Management Program(SDMP) projects and activities that included electrification, road concreting, construction, renovation and/or improvement of school chapel, barangay hall, water system, health center, basketball court, flood system, and street lights, medical and dental assistance, beautification, establishment of cooperative, provisions for computers, scholarship and apprenticeship.

        The IRDC/GCC had already spent some P3.87 million for SDMP alone covering the 3rd quarter of 2005 up to the 4th quarter of 2006 mostly on Academe/Educational Program amounting to P504,000, Livelihood program - P270,800; Health program - P384,715.50; Church and Chapel improvements - P68,765; Infrastructure projects - P1,543,440.10; Promotion of local tourism - P264,500; and assistance to outside impact areas - P409,225.41.

        On the other hand, the Lafayette Mining Compnay operating in the municipality of Rapu-Rapu in its report from December 2005 to September 2006 spent a total of P4.60 million for community development; P2.59 million for programmed activities and P2.01 million for unprogrammed activities.

        The programmed activities include provision of generator sets, water system, fuel, child health and nutrition, day care center, school supplies, and assistance for spiritual activities while unprogrammed activities include: road maintenance, re-wiring of electrical facilities, and assistance to street sweeper, gen-set operator, water tender and day care teacher.

        These were implemented in the three impact Barangays of Binosawan, Malobago and Pagbolbon in Rapu-Rapu, Albay.

        The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has recommended to the company to implement projects geared more on developing local livelihood and promoting capabilities (ie. Trainings).

        The SDMP is mandated by the new Philippine Mining Law of 1995 otherwise known as Republic Act 7942, Sections 134 and 136 of DENR-DAO 96-40 as amended and DENR-DAO 2002-99 obligate contractors, permit holders, leases to effect development programs in the host and neighboring communities based on the latter identified programs and projects through an SDMP.