ITOGON, Benguet – The Sangilo-based Itogon Suyoc Resources, Inc. (ISRI) was able to implement various programs and projects amounting to more than P42 million last year under its environmental protection and enhancement program pursuant to existing laws, rules and regulations.
The aforesaid initiative is part of ISRI’s commitment to the practice of sustainable and responsible mining through forest enrichment, and maintenance activities, underground rehabilitation, water resource and management, air quality and work environment monitoring, biodiversity conservation and wildfire protection, heritage and values and environmental research.
ISRI was able to maintain some 35 hectares of forested areas under the Mine Forest Program, National Greening Program (NGP) and Bamboo Plantation program.
The company also protected planted seedlings by constructing fencing using recyclable materials to reduce waste not only in the mine site but also in the community where it operates.
Further, ISRI was able to successfully implement forest fire mitigation measures, including maintaining fire break lanes, ensuring water supply at enrichment areas, conducting aerial surveys during high temperatures and utilizing workers as fire spotters.
ISRI, a subsidiary of the Davao-based Apex Mining Company, Inc., was able to maintain some 3,418 nursery seedlings composed of 65 percent Benguet pine and 17 Balakat seedlings.
On the other hand, the mining company has been consistently collecting solid waste from industrial areas and camp housing and delivering it to the materials recovery facility (MRF), composting or temporary residual area and hauling residual waste to the former Metro Clark Waste Management Corporation.
The company claimed that such effort achieved a 3 percent residual waste retention with an annual collection of more than 59.6 metric tons.
Moreover, ISRI retained 3 percent recyclable paper, glass bottles and plastics, generating 24 metric tons annually.
One of the major initiatives of the company is the implementation of the Adopt A River program where it was able to plant sagat trees along Tolbing creek, reflecting its commitment to sound environmental stewardship.
At the Same time, part of ISRI’s environmental protection and enhancement program is the adoption of the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA) Garden at the Botanical Garden in nearby Baguio City where it actively participates in the maintenance of the said garden that is frequented by foreign and domestic visitors because of the numerous endemic species of trees and flowers that have been already grown in the said area.
Earlier, the Baguio City government commended PMSEA and ISRI for its continued maintenance of the PMSEA Garden which is now one of the most visited areas of the Botanical Garden. By Dexter A. See
