Like one majority–subsidiary of Global Ferronikkel Holdings, Inc. (FNI)is Ipilan Nickel Corp. (INC) more than just a mining company. With operations in the Brooke’s Point Municipality of Palawan, INC is committed to promoting growth, supporting the environment and working with indigenous communities for a sustainable and prosperous future.
Backed by strong environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles, INC has charted a unique path in the mining industry, one built on respect, transparency and mutual benefit. This commitment to responsible mining extends to building meaningful relationships with the indigenous peoples (IPs) in the area, collectively known as the IP-BICAMM barangays – Barong-Barong, Ipilan, Calasaguen, Aribungos, Mambalot and Maasin.
“At INC, we believe our success is deeply intertwined with the well-being of the indigenous communities we work with. By building relationships based on trust, transparency and respect, we not only ensure a sustainable future for our operations, but also create lasting positive impact in the lives of our partner communities,” said FNI President Dante R. Bravo. “Our commitment to sustainable development and corporate social responsibility remains steadfast as we work together to promote economic growth, protect the environment and preserve cultural heritage for generations to come.”
A strong foundation: the certification requirement
An important milestone that underlines INC’s commitment to responsible mining is the recently acquired Certification Precondition (CP). This certification is essential for any mining company in operation inside ancestral domains and emphasizes INC’s full compliance with regulatory requirements. The CP does not just mean INCs commitment to regulatory compliance but also its commitment to upholding the rights and traditions of the IP-BICAMM communities.
After undergoing a series of community meetings with the IP community and the rigorous Free and Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) process., IP-BICAMM has issued their consent resolution for the renewal of MPSA No. 017-93-IV. This is a hallmark of INC’s approach to transparency and respect. Community members were involved in a series of consultative meetings, directly addressing environmental issues and discussing how INC’s projects could coexist with their ancestral heritage. This process paved the way for IP leaders to endorse INC’s activities, allowing the company to renew its Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA)..
Empowering Indigenous Communities: INC’s Commitment Beyond Mining
For INC, business social responsibility means going beyond compliance. It means actively investing in people, the environment, the overall improvement in quality of life of the communities organizing the activitiesand generating economic benefits for the IP-BICAMM barangays. Through the FPIC-MOA agreement, INC has spent millions of pesos to improve the living standards, education and health care of indigenous communities. Key initiatives include:
- More than Php2 million in livelihood projects, including the “Hapag Katutubo Project”, which donated 170 fruit-bearing seedlings to local communities.
- Deployment of 274 IPs in various roles, exceeding regulatory requirements and promoting local job creation.
- Educational support to nearly 1,600 students from primary to university, with university students receiving up to Php 7,500 per semesteras well as Php9,000 quarterly subsidy for volunteer teachers.
- Php1 million in funds allocated for medical and burial assistance, to support the health and well-being of the community.
- Php73.9 million assigned for Royalty shares, from which IP-BICAMM members directly benefit.
- Infrastructure investments such as Php4 million for a tribal hall and Php3 million for Ancestral Domain Title Certificate (CADT) processing.
Looking ahead: a sustainable vision for the future
Now that the certification requirement has been secured and long-term investments have been made, INC is ready for sustainable growth. INC’s commitment to environmental stewardship and the well-being of its partner communities provides a balanced approach to mining that both enhances shareholder value and strengthens its reputation as a socially responsible business leader in Palawan.
INC’s partnerships with indigenous communities demonstrate how responsible mining can create economic growth while preserving cultural values and natural resources. Through this commitment, INC continues to set the standard for ethical, transparent and impactful mining operations in the Philippines.
Spotlight is BusinessWorld’s sponsored section that allows advertisers to build their brand and connect with BusinessWorld’s audience by publishing their stories on the BusinessWorld website. For more information please send an email to online@bworldonline.com.
Join Viber on https://bit.ly/3hv6bLA to get more updates and subscribe to BusinessWorld’s titles and receive exclusive content www.bworld-x.com.