AMVI Sees more Job Opportunities and Stronger Partnership with Stakeholders following their coming Operations

By JONG CADION

ZAMBOANGA CITY - AS ATRO Mining-Vitali, Inc. (AMVI) had completed the first year of its Two-Year Exploration Work Program approved by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB).

In a press statement send by Antonio Manaytay, AMVI Corporate Communication Officer disclosed that the company sees stronger partnership with the host community by creating jobs and employment opportunities for local labor once mining operations start.  

Lawyer Leopoldo Redublo, Vice President for Legal and Administration, said “most of the tasks left to be done at present are technical in nature.”

These tasks include geology re-assessment, mineral resource determination and verification, and the conduct of Pre-Feasibility and Definitive Feasibility Study for the approval of Declaration of Mining Feasibility Study and secure the necessary permits from the concerned government agencies.

These tasks, he said, “require only a minimal number of manpower” as he re-iterated the policy to hire local manpower when mining operations start. It can be noted the company has consistently adopted prioritization of hiring locals for employment. 

During the exploration stage, the company has also provided significant contribution for the development of the community and families.

Based on the information released by the office of AMVI President Elson S. Ogario, the company is “always been in the forefront, and pillar of help in times of calamities and disasters.”

The company has, in fact, launched big impact projects directly benefitting the community in addressing environmental and health issues, namely: spearheaded the clean-up of Vitali River; implemented the Adopt-a-River Program of the Environmental Management Board; donated trash bins to the community and promoted the government’s Solid Waste Management Program; conducted defogging activities in support to the city government’s campaign against dengue; and led the efforts of reforestation and tree planting programs in key areas of Vitali.  

The company also created various programs to promote social, spiritual and educational development of its stakeholders in the community through the following, namely: organized seminars and trainings on mining for the community stakeholders and their tenurial rights as surface occupants in coordination with Mines and Geosciences Bureau and the officials of Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO); continuously conducted Information and Education Campaign (IEC) programs regarding mining and company activities; sponsored the celebration of the Holy Masses in the area and promoted camaraderie at the company-established chapel in Sitio 147; assists in the rehabilitations of several chapels and mosques; and provided financial support to the Madaris Education in Barangay Taguite by providing incentives to Madaris teachers.

In partnership with the Barangay Government of Vitali, the company has successfully rehabilitated and opened the following farm-to-market roads, namely: Tagpangi to Veronica Road (which is about 13-kilometer road stretch); Rehabilitated and constructed several road links going to Campo Uno, Vernonica, Campo Cuatro, Sitio 147, Aboles and Bonnga. There are more than 100 families living near these newly constructed and rehabilitated roads.  

These road links are now serving as important FMR serving the people of Vitali and will be presently maintained by the company. 

Through the company's efforts and money, these mountain portions of Vitali is now easily accessible by car, motorcyles and other mode of transportation making the area more accessible to government and private services, business and community development and addressing issues in times of emergencies. The company has spent P969,869.99 for this program.

On top of these, Atty. Redublo pointed out the company has contributed to local employment by hiring 238 local residents both regular and contractual. Most of the contractual employees were re-hired and some of them were regularized especially those positions that are necessary for the exploration activities.

AMVI did not only provide employment opportunities to local manpower but also provided advanced training program for the local labor to develop their skills and acquire expertise.”

“They have acquired skills through their employment and were exposed to some technical aspects of the operation,” the Vice President for Legal and Administration revealed, adding that “the company is committed and will continue with this policy.”

“Employment requirements will always be sourced locally, if qualified. In the meantime, the completions of drilling and road rehabilitation have resulted to end the initial exploration stage of the project. Employees whose contracts have ended will be included in the company database for hiring consideration for later projects or filling in of job vacancies.

He further stated that several regular employees whose positions have nothing to do with the present operations were transferred to other projects of the company.

He assured that after the approval of the Declaration of Mining Feasibility Study, previous employees who have performed well and who will be re-hired once the project proceeds and mine development plan is finalized will have secured jobs.

“Better and more efficient AMVI operations will redound to the benefit of the workforce. Moreover, other community members who were not given the opportunity to work before will have the chance to be employed,” the lawyer disclosed.

As the company gears towards actual expanded operations, the management is looking forward to the next stage of operations in continued partnership with the local community, he concluded.