We can almost hear from all walks of life their sigh that, oh, 2015 was so fast to pass by. Indeed it’s just a matter of time when we will soon welcome 2016. In fact, by the time this edition comes out into the newsstands, 2016 is already two days old. Time flies so fast and before you blink, it is again a new year. Did we ever realize how the Year of the Goat has contributed to our lives, our career, our work, and of course our family? Maybe let us pause for a moment, in the frenzy of our preparation in welcoming the new Year of the Monkey. It will be a challenge to do the pausing and look back how we fared in the past year. Believe me!
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In our little kingdom called Padcal Mine, it was a tough year for the mine as it struggled due to the continuous decline in world metal prices, even up to this writing. While operationally, Padcal’s mining operations were remarkably modest in terms of mine output or metals produced, the price of metals is really eating up the gains of the hardworking miners. This is also true in all mining operations of big and small mining companies in the world. Worst, these big mining companies are either closing and/or consolidating their operations in the hope of reducing their operating expense or cost to tie them over the unpredictable future of mining. And who are at the losing ends? The workers and their families, the professionals like mining engineers, geologists, metallurgists, mechanical engineers, and others.
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Back in Padcal, we had our collective bargaining negotiations with our partners at the labor side. It started right after the Company just concluded the manpower rightsizing program it implemented before the start of 2015, parting with key and long partners-workers. While it was a tough program, all were asked to bite the bullet to prepare the mine for the worst. At the negotiation table, Management was given the gargantuan task to present across the table the very very bleak scenario of mining futures. Where can you see figures (calculations on profit and loss given some assumed metals to be produced and assumed metal prices) that changes so quickly. By the time it is understood by the labour partners, the parameters have to be changed anew. Somehow, the labor group doubted the sincerity of Management. But patience and sheer good intention and prayers, of course, made the difference. The Unions (the Philex Mines Supervisory Employees Union and the Philex Rank-and-File Employees Union) understood the scenario and the real problem of the Company – on how to bring and extend the life of the Padcal Mine up to its remaining mine life in 2020.
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In a historic negotiation result that was accepted by the majority of the members of the Unions, historic in a sense that it took only about five meetings before the representatives of both panels shook hands, the agreements were signed and the benefits (wages/salaries and few improvements in some key benefits) out of these signed agreements were immediately implemented, just in time for the Christmas Day this December. On top of it all, Management advanced seventy-five percent of the projected 2015 financial incentive to all its workers and employees. This is supposed to be determined and released only in March of 2016 but seeing the plight of the workers and their families, Management’s big heart stood out the most.
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Yes, 2015 is still a very good year in Padcal Mine. We are hoping that the new year will usher a more brighter year ahead despite the financial predictions of the experts that metal prices will continue to decline. With the Year of the Monkey just around the corner, the “competition and challenge” that was predicted for this year will not be a hindrance for us to believe and cling to the power of the Almighty, who is always there as our last bastion of hope.
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And before we close 2015, please join me in congratulating Herald Express in its 1st year anniversary. This paper, considered a new kid on the block (is it really?), have done a remarkable great job in making its presence felt in the print media which kept the frontrunners on their toes. Soon, the “competition and challenge” that the Year of the Monkey brings for this new year will be to the good of the reading public. Mabuhay kayo in Herald Express!
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