Residents of Barangay Macambol in Mati City, Davao Oriental and neighboring communities are seeing tangible gains in education, livelihoods, and basic services through projects funded under the Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) of Hallmark Mining Corp.
In a statement on Tuesday, the mining company said Barangay Macambol’s education initiatives include installing a PHP750,000 solar energy system for public schools, providing reliable power, especially in upland areas with frequent outages.
“Our annual Balik Eskwela program distributes school supplies and extends educational assistance to 219 college students from host and neighboring communities since Academic Year 2024, helping increase access to higher education for Indigenous Peoples and local youth,” the firm added.
Complementing classroom support, SDMP-backed skills training programs help residents earn NC II qualifications via the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, creating livelihood opportunities beyond mining and boosting household income resilience.
It added that access to clean, dependable water has also markedly improved with the completion of major water system projects.
The PHP1.2 million Level III Water System connecting Sitio Silad to Sitio Banluton now serves about 250 households with direct connections, replacing years of reliance on distant and inadequate sources.
“To safeguard public health, a chlorinator unit was installed to ensure water quality and potability,” the company said.
It said that all SDMP projects are monitored by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau and validated through inspections involving local government units, tribal leaders, and community representatives in Mati City. (PNA)