Buklod Atenista Visits Rio Tuba Mining Corporation The Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corporation, a large-scale mining

company, invited Buklod Atenista to participate in the educational tour at their mining site in Brgy. Rio Tuba, Palawan. The mining companys Vice President for Corporate Communications, Mr. Jose Bayani D. Baylon, invited Buklod to provide information on mining as practiced by a large-scale mining company. The said company and members of Buklod Atenista met in Palawan, Philippines last July 5 to 7, 2013. Secretary General of Buklod Atenista Permanent Secretariat, Buklod Ambassadors, and Student Council Presidents from each member schools were present during the mining tour. They were Peter Paul Paras (Secretary General, Buklod Atenista Permanent Secretariat), Daniel Antonio Remo (President, Sanggunian ng mga Paaralang Loyola ng Ateneo de Manila), Ray Cristofer Gomez (Ambassador of Ateneo De Manila University), Princess Kimberly Ubay-ubay (President, Xavier University Ateneo de Cagayan Central Student Government), Renan Agad (OIC of the Ambassador, Xavier University Ateneo de Cagayan), Patricia May Regino (OIC of the President, Samahan ng mga Mag-Aaral ng Pamantasang Ateneo de Davao), Ivy Jane Torregosa (Ambassador, Ateneo De Davao University), Gabriel Asuncion (President, Ateneo de Naga University Supreme Student Government), Renzo Enrico Blanco (Ambassador, Ateneo de Naga University), Adriel Earl Toribio (President, Ateneo de Zamboanga University El Consejo Ateneo), and John Abas (OIC of the Ambassador, Ateneo de Zamboanga University). Before going to Barangay Bataraza, an orientation was conducted by Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corporation Representative at The Legend Palawan Hotel. Some important information regarding the mining site which includes company profile, activities in the mining site, actions in lined to responsible mining, and community benefits were shared. Upon arrival, Mr. Baylon welcomed the student leaders and discussed some important reminders before the actual tour. The group visited first RTN Foundation, Inc. Hospital which currently has a Level-1 Accreditation and receives funding from the Rio Tuba Nickel (RTN) Foundation, Incorporated. Medical and dental services at the RTN Hospital are given free for indigent residents of 11 barangays. The hospital as well provides the ambulance and communication equipment necessary for emergency medical operations within the municipality and its medical staff also conducts medical outreach programs on a regular basis.

As the group arrived at the next site, which was Leonides S. Virata Memorial School, they were warmly welcomed by RTN Foundation director Rene Sinco to the La Salle-supervised school. The said school offers Pre-school, Elementary, and Secondary Education (currently following the K-12 Curriculum). One of the eye catching parts of the school was the iMac-equipped Computer Centre and TV's in all classrooms. Teachers are also equipped with iPads.

Open Floor Discussion between the Indigenous People employed in Rio Mining Corporation (Left) and Buklod Atenista Delegates (Right).

After visiting Leonides S. Virata Memorial School the group went to one of the parts of the mining site with problems regarding water quality. In such areas, a water filtration mechanism exists that is said to result to clean water. The group was also able to see the top-view of the mining site where the group can see most part of the mining area. Nickel ores were also visible as the group walk around the area. Dr. Bibiano Ranes, together with the Indigenous People (I.P.) welcomed the group in their RTN Ecosystem Laboratory which consist of plant nursery, silt sumps and ponds for mining site rehabilitation as a part of their environmental responsibility. Before going to the next area, the student leaders contributed to be part of the companys effort to reach One Million Trees by planting one, or two seedlings. Lastly, they visited the Gawad Kalinga where the indigenous people rendered one thousand hours for building of their homes (billed as 1000 hours of sweat). These people were given an opportunity to move into better living conditions.

Moreover, the Mining Tour and intelligent exchange of points of view supplements an immense assistance in providing information of the controversies about mining operations in the Philippines. As a resolve, therefore, the Buklod Atenista will be meeting regularly to discuss further actions in line with the preservation of environment, and the morality it underlies.

The Buklod Atenista Delegates in the Rio Tuba Mining Site. (From Left to Right: Renan Agad, Renzo Blanco, Gabriel Asuncion ; From Right to Left: Ivy Torregosa, Mr. Frederico Lagdameo, Peter Paul Paras, Princess Ubay-Ubay, John Abas, Patricia Regino, Pamela Gaerlan, Ray Cristofer Gomez. (Back, Left to Right: Daniel Remo and Earl Toribio)

Noted by: PETER PAUL PARAS (Sgd.) Secretary-General Buklod Atenista

IVY JANE TORREGOSA (Sgd.) Ambassador Ateneo de Davao University

RAY CRISTOFER C. GOMEZ (Sgd.) RENZO ENRICO BLANCO (Sgd.) Ambassador Ambassador Ateneo de Manila University Ateneo de Naga University

ROMMEL REGOR ONG (Sgd.) Ambassador Ateneo de Zamboanga University

ALBERT WENCES DABA III (Sgd.) Ambassador Xavier University Ateneo de Cagayan