Philex Mining Corp. said it completed P15.84 million worth of public infrastructure projects in the first half as a part of social program for the host and neighboring communities of Padcal mine in Benguet province.

Philex said of the total amount, P3.61 million was used to rehabilitate a slope protection wall in Itogon’s Sitio Samoyao, Barangay Ampucao and P1.25 million for a slope protection wall in Sition Upper Camp, also in the same barangay.

The mining company also allotted P1.1 million for a box culvert in Tuba’s Sitio Alang in Barangay Camp 3.

Jamal Agustin, who monitors the infra projects being implemented by Philex Mining through its community relations department, said the slope protection wall in Sitio Samoyao had been destroyed by a typhoon, and had to be rehabilitated by the company, which also built the original wall.

Agustin said that between January and March, Philex Mining delivered 22 infra projects worth P9.88 million, including a 379-meter long farm-to-market road with pavement widening in Camp 3’s Sitio Bastian, that amounted to P1.49 million, and the 44-meter two-bench grouted riprap built at a cost of P1.23 million in Barangay Ampucao’s Sitio Catcatbal.

“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,” said Padcal mine community relations manager Aurora Dolipas. – Anna Leah Gonzales