TOLEDO CITY, Cebu, Philippines — Nearly P30.4 million was spent by large scale mining companies in Central Visayas during the entire year in 2011, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)’ Mines and Geo-sciences Bureau in Region7.

Topping the list with the highest social development and management program (SDMP) allocation is Carmen Copper Corporation in this city with P18.4 million; followed by the Philippine Mining Service Corporation-Alcoy Dolomite Mine/Dolomite Mining Corporation in Alcoy with P2.208 million; Apo Cement Corporation/Apo Land & Quarry Corporation in City of Naga with P2.336 million; JLR Construction & Aggregates Inc. in City of Naga, P2.684 million; Taiheiyo Cement Philippines Inc./Solid Earth Development Corporation in San Fernando with P2.354 million; Philippine Mining Service Corporation-Bohol Mine/Bohol Limestone Corporation in Garcia-Hernandez, Bohol with P.922 million; and Quarry Ventures Philippines Inc. in Naga City in Cebu with P920,000.

This year’s aggregate allocation from said mining firms is 269.03 percent higher compared to allocations they made in 2010.

Said SDMP is designed to improve the quality of lives of host and neighboring communities.

“We have been undertaking close monitoring and supervision of these community development projects to make sure that the benefits of mining will be felt by the communities themselves,” said MGB 7 Regional Director Loreto B. Alburo.

Alburo said a mining firm’s SDMP will be utilized in implementing plans, projects and activities of the company towards the sustained improvement in the living standards of the host and neighboring community by making the latter responsible, self-reliant, and resource-based.