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The Agata-Bombo Radyo partnership was formed even prior to the mining company’s operations
Butuan City / August 2018 – TVIRD-owned nickel joint venture company, Agata Mining Ventures Inc. (AMVI), once again assumed a major sponsorship for Bombo Medico – the annual medical and dental mission of its long-time media partner, Bombo Radyo, and the largest humanitarian mission in the Caraga Region with over 3,000 beneficiaries from the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur and Surigao Del Norte. The mission provides free physical and optical check-ups, eyeglasses, dental consultations and extractions and even circumcision. This year, the mission also added cyst removal among its free medical services.
TVI Resource Development Philippines Inc. (TVIRD) operates the Agata Nickel Project in Tubay, Jabonga and Santiago Municipalities in Agusan del Norte.
For the fourth consecutive year, the company has supported Bombo Medico and has provided much-needed medicines such as Amoxicillin, Mefenamic Acid, Tranexamic Acid and various antibiotics as well as other surgical supplies in order to address the needs of its beneficiaries.
Statistical success
As Bombo Medico increases its offered medical services each year, so does the number of beneficiaries and the type of diagnosed medical conditions during the activity.
Respiratory, cardiovascular and other related ailments diagnosed for most adult participants are commonly attributed to an unhealthy lifestyle, which includes excessive alcohol intake and cigarette smoking, while skin and gastro-related ailments affect the majority of children and infants and are commonly attributed to poor hygiene and sanitation in households within impoverish communities.
During the event, some 332 reading glasses were provided to beneficiaries while wheelchairs, crutches and canes were also given to needy patients free of charge. The mission also conducted 42 prostate screenings, 42 urine analyses, 18 HIV tests, 42 cyst screenings and 312 pediatric consultations.
The mission also received over 800 patients with various health concerns: pulmonary, gynecology, cardiology and internal medicine. Meantime, other procedures like dental extractions, cyst removals as well as cleft lip and palate operations benefitted some 144 patients. Bombo Medico also conducted a nutrition and feeding program for over 1,000 children and parents. In addition, other services like physical therapy, haircuts and even legal services were also provided free of charge.
Wealth of the community
Agata’s dedication to provide the same commitment for the health and general welfare of its direct communities has extended to the Caraga Region via Bombo Medico. Among the communities in it 4,995-hectare Mineral Processing Sharing Agreement (MPSA) area that spans three towns, Agata has already conducted a number of medical missions for its coastal and inland barangays in previous years.
Also on several occasions, the company has mobilized its physicians and other medical staff to address various health concerns and distribute medicines for needy patients in the community – all in the spirit of maintaining public health and awareness.
In both the mission and Dugong Bombo – the media outlet’s national blood donation drive that generates over 3 million cc of blood yearly – Station Manager Benjie Balansag has been instrumental to the mission’s success and the ongoing partnership with Agata.
“Agata is the only mining company in the region that has continuously supported the annual Bombo Medico. They even extended support by bringing their medical staff to assist us during the consultation of patients!” enthused Balansag, citing the active voluntary participation of the company’s Emergency Response Team and medical staff.
He also acknowledged the support of volunteer organizations that contributed greatly to Bombo’s annual humanitarian mission: the Philippine Dental Association, Rich Lake Philippine Eagles Club, Stallion Bikers Club, Delta Fraternity, Butuan City Health Office, Philippine Army and the Department of Health.