BAKUN, Benguet — The management of the Royalco Philippines here disclosed it has already completed nearly P10 million worth of various infrastructures and social projects for the benefit of villagers in Barangay Gambang as its continuing corporate social responsibility while pursuing its on going exploration project under Phase 1 of its five-phased exploration in the area.

The completion of most of the projects was attested by at least 118 community leaders who signed a report submitted to the Cordillera office of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) which detailed the accomplishment of the Australian mining company in fulfilling its commitments.

Engr. Ruben Quitoriano, Royalco chief mining engineer, claimed P8.7 worth of hard and soft projects were part of their commitments embodied in a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) executed between the company and the community that endorsed the exploration while over P600,000 worth of projects are not covered by the agreement.

However, he committed the company will continue to help in the implementation of development projects in the community provided that the people will be the ones to benefit from them since they are bound to exercise their corporate social responsibility for a harmonious working relationship through the years.

Royalco was granted a two-year exploration permit by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in the Cordillera to conduct the required exploration activities in at least 978 hectares of the town for Phase 1 of its five-phased project.

Although there are some oppositors to the exploration project, the firm was still able to secure the endorsement of the council of elders.