Canada envoy vows to help drive Philippine economic growth, empower communities

MANILA, Philippines – Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines David Hartman has pledged to firm up his country’s shared commitment to help “drive economic growth and empower communities” through responsible and sustainable mining in the Philippines through its local partners running mining operations in Masbate province.

In his recent visit to the Philippines, the Canadian Ambassador, along with Embassy of Canada’s Senior Trade Commissioner Guy Boileau, toured the mining and milling operations plus the vast environmental programs and various social programs being implemented by the two firms operating inside the Masbate Gold Project (MGP) site in Aroroy town in Masbate.

The tour was highlighted by his visit to one of the firm’s mangrove reforestation sites. They were accompanied by officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Filminera Resources Corporation (Filminera) and Phil Gold Processing & Refining Corp. (PhilGold) are the two firms operating inside the Masbate Gold Project site. Canada-based B2Gold has minority interest in Filminera, which holds mining permits and surface rights, plus an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) in the Aroroy minesite. On the other hand, Phil Gold, which runs the gold processing plant, is wholly owned by the same Canadian firm.

The mangrove reforestation project visited by the Ambassador is undertaken by Filminera and Phil Gold along the coastal barangays of Aroroy, Masbate. To date, there are 3.22 million mangrove seedlings planted with 90% survival rate within 2,658 hectares of coastal areas surrounding the mine site.

Ambassador Hartman cited the value of “sustainable partnerships in the extractive industries,” geared, not only for economic prosperity, but for “ensuring responsible stewardship of resources for the benefit of present and future generations.”

“This is precisely what the Masbate Gold Project is all about,” the Canadian chief diplomat pointed out, adding: “Canada remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering these partnerships, driving economic growth, and empowering communities in Masbate and across the Philippines.” 

For his part, during the same visit, DENR Undersecretary Carlos Primo David commended the reforestation efforts in both upland and coastal areas, being carried out by Filminera and Phil. Gold. He underscored the imperative that two firms must continue to greatly contribute to the environmental preservation and conservation of Masbate Province.

B2Gold is a low-cost international senior gold producer based in Vancouver in Canada. It operates mine sites in other countries -- including Namibia and Mali and is constructing a new mine in northern Canada.   

Among the mangrove species included in the plantation are Gapas gapas (Camptostemon philippinenses), an endangered species according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List & DENR Administrative Order (DAO) 2017-11; Pagatpat (Sonneratia ovata), which is an edible mangrove species and considered as near threatened according to IUCN Red list and Bantigue (Pemphis acidula), another endangered according to DAO 2017-11.

The Ambassador also visited the Automated Mist Clonal Nursery, a project that plays a significant role in the two firms’ reforestation efforts for the municipality of Aroroy, as well as the livelihood of the community. Situated just outside the mine site, it provides access to community residents who avail of the seedlings for their own businesses, or just to beautify their backyards.

The 2,586-sqm forest and fruit trees nursery can accommodate more than 75,000 seedlings — a commitment to reforestation and even afforestation as part of their vital strategy to mitigate the environmental impact of mining and restore biodiversity, prevent soil erosion, and preserve watershed areas crucial for local ecosystems.