Tungawan, Atro Mining ink MOA for port project

TUNGAWAN, Zamboanga Sibugay (May 12, 2014) --- All systems go for the construction of a shipping port of Atro Mining-Vitali, Inc. (AMVI) in Sitio Sucamao, San Vicente here after the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) last month.

"This is it, the town will finally have an international shipping port" Mayor Randy Climaco in an interview with media said, referring to the MOA with the mining company.

Mayor Climaco, who is visibly happy, expressed his optimism on the employment opportunities for the local residents, increased business activities, and improved peace and order in the locality.

He said the shipping port of AMVI is "a welcome development for the town which will spur development."

"I am also happy of the support of the local council to this once in a lifetime opportunity that knocks on our door," Mayor Climaco intimated.

The Sangguniang Bayan in its Regular Session last April 22 passed a concurring resolution to the MOA paving the way for "a partnership between the local government unit and the private sector".

"We see this rare opportunity as a chance not to be missed when we passed the Resolution in support to the development goals under Mayor Climaco," Councilor Lorverly Caracol, one of the councillors who is instrumental in passing the resolution, said.

In signing the MOA, both the municipality and AMVI recognized "the value of working together and uniting to provide a supportive local community, acknowledge and agree to pursue the port project committed to protecting and preserving the natural environment, and to promoting the socio-economic development, health, safety and security of the community."

As stipulated in the agreement, AMVI "shall prioritize local hiring of manpower requirements for the preparation, construction, and eventual operation of the port in Sucamao, Barangay San Vicente... ."

The mining company has also committed to "construct and donate and appropriate fish port in a suitable area provided by the municipality where fishing boats can exclusively dock, load and unload products".

AMVI President Elson Ogario said the company has appreciated the "local officials of Tungawan for their being open-minded to the changing mode of local governance."

"Mayor Climaco and other local officials has to be commended for keeping in step with the call for development by opening their door to investors as a strategy to develop the local economy," Mr. Ogario said.

Mayor Climaco has displayed "his true mark of a dynamic and development-oriented local chief executive while not losing the balance of having development and environmental protection."

In the MOA, the company has also committed to "embark on programs, projects and activities in the host community and neighbouring barangays" such as human resources and institutional building, nenterprise development and networking, assistance to infrastructure development and support services, access to education and educational support programs, access to health facilities and health
professionals, and protection and respect of socio-cultural values.

"This is not just about shipping port, it is also about caring for the people and sharing with the local community the benefits of development," Mr. Ogario stressed.

He said Mayor Climaco has taken "a big, bold step towards development when he decided to partner with us in this endeavour."

The port that will soon rise in this municipality will serve as the shipping facility of AMVI's direct shipping operations of iron ores mined in Vitali, Zamboanga City.

AMVI is the exclusive operator of Hard Rock Minerals Trading, Inc. (HRMTI) for its Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) denominated as MPSA No. 237-2007-IX covering an area of 2,007.3084 hectares located at Upper Tagpangi, Vitali, this city.

The mining company has concluded its first-stage exploration program and is set to start production after the Mines and Geosciences Bureau approved its Declaration of Mining Project Feasibility (DMPF) recently.