MEMBERS of the Philippine Nickel Industry Association (PNIA) have collectively disbursed more than P38M of their Social Development Management Program (SDMP) fund for various Covid-19 relief efforts to benefit frontliners and host communities during the two-month enhanced community quarantine period (ECQ).
PNIA has also been working in solidarity with Act as One, Kalinga Kontra Kovid (KKK) QC as well as local and national government authorities in providing assistance to key hospitals in Metro Manila and to more than 66,200 households in Caraga, Zambales and Palawan.
“We try our best to keep our commitment to our host communities especially during these trying times. It’s definitely a challenging time for our business operations but our local communities are our partners throughout the years and saving lives is our priority right now,” emphasizes Atty. Dante Bravo, PNIA President.
Aside from providing 31,800 food packs and sharing over 26,960 sacks of rice to their host communities, mining companies also organized transportation for displaced individuals, set up disinfection tents and facilitated disinfection drives in the area.
Other member companies likewise sourced majority of its fresh produce from local farmers and other goods from local establishments to stimulate the region’s economy. Due to ECQ restrictions on transportation, these farmers faced the risk of spoilage of their produce – in addition to the challenge of putting food on their own tables.
PNIA member companies donated over 20,300 units of medical supplies including facemasks, personal protective equipment (PPEs), digital thermal scanners, vitamins, and other medical and disinfection supplies to local government units and various non-government organizations.
For more information, visit www.philippinenickel.org