Philex spends P16 M for infra in Padcal mine

MANILA, Philippines - Philex Mining Corp. has invested P16 million for infrastructure projects in the first semester, as part of its social development program in its Padcal mine operations.

Philex said about P15.8 million worth of public infrastructure projects had been completed for its host community in Padcal mine, the company’s gold and copper operations in Benguet.

The projects include the rehabilitation of slope protection walls in several barangays which have been destroyed due to typhoons, and close to 400-meter farm-to-market roads. 

“These projects that we have so far delivered this year are part of the company’s commitment to continue helping its outlying communities through the implementation of the needed infrastructure,” Padcal mine Community Relations manager Aurora Dolipas said. 

Padcal mine has Camp 3 and Ampucao for its host barangays, while its neighboring barangays consist of Camp 1 and Ansagan in Tuba and Dalupirip in Itogon. 

This year, Philex has allotted P110 million for its community-development projects under the Social Development and Management Program (SDMP), a requirement of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for every mining company.

This includes community engagement and development programs, health services and medical missions, equipment turnover, construction and rehabilitation of several school buildings, educational assistance programs, and scholarship grants. 

Philex has earmarked P1.8 billion for its capital expenditures this year where P700 million is allocated for mine development while the remaining budget is for machineries and equipment.