The Social Development and Management Programs of the King-king Copper-Gold Project has been approved and signed by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau - Regional Office XI on January 16, 2015 at SEDA Hotel, Davao City. Engr. Edilberto Arreza, Regional Director of MGB-RO XI signed the SDMP and witnessed by the project officials and stakeholders.

Engr. Edilberto Arreza, Regional Director of MGB-RO XI signs the SDMP with Atty Leocadio Nittoreda, Chief Operating Officer of NADECOR. KCGP is a partnership between Nationwide Development Corporation (Nadecor) and St. Augustine Gold & Copper Ltd. (SAGCL). The two companies are working together to develop the world class project while partnering with the community to meet the needs of Pantukan.

The Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) of the Nationwide Development Corporation (NADECOR) has been approved and signed by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau - Regional Office XI. NADECOR is currently undertaking the King-king Copper-Gold Project (KCGP) in Pantukan, Compostela Valley in partnership with the St. Augustin Gold and Copper LTD. The landmark signing of the certificate of approval was held on January 16, 2015 at SEDA Hotel in Davao City.

SDMP refers to the comprehensive five-year plan implemented by mining contractors and permit holders to improve the living standards of the host and neighboring communities. The SDMP aims to create responsible, self-reliant and resource-based communities capable of developing, implementing and managing community development programs, projects, and activities in a manner consistent with the principle of people empowerment.

Community First Even prior to the signing of the SDMP, KCGP, propelled by its 'corporate conscience,' and beyond its self-regulating corporate social responsibility, has persistently endeavored to uplift the communities affected by the Project. These social and educational contributions as well as mitigations against negative ecological impacts were presented by Mr. Jonathan Banez, Community Development Manager of KCGP.

Among them were: Community livelihood initiative programs (CLIP), which helped a village (purok) and a small girl scouts troop to win a national award; a scholarship program that currently supports 54 college students; medical outreach programs; donation of medical equipment to a local hospital; free emergency ambulance transport; community partnerships; financial assistance for the construction of school buildings, barangay, tribal and village halls.

In a message delivered during the program, Engr. Edilberto Arreza, Regional Director of MGB-RO XI commended the project's implementation of several community development programs even without an approved SDMP. "I just realized that the community (has started to) reap the benefits already even if the SDMP has not yet been signed which is good for the community."

Engr. Arreza further remarked: "Sana bago ako mag-retire ma-develop na ito. (I hope this project will be developed before I retire) I recommended Kingking as one of the major projects that will be developed during the term of President Aquino. "I'm very happy that NADECOR and its partner pursued this project."

Tribal Chieftain Danilo Manlinab of the Mansaka Tribal Council of Brgy. Kingking (MTCBK) also shared his appreciation about the project. Before KCGP, the area as an Ancestral Domain of the Mansakas, was explored by different mining companies. Then, MTCBK and NADECOR entered into an agreement through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in 2011. It was only when the Project was instituted, that the Chieftain felt that his people's domain rights, culture and tradition were truly respected and upheld.

Atty. Leocadio Nittoreda, Chief Operating Officer of NADECOR, expressed his gratitude for the trust and acceptance showed by the tribal community and the other stakeholders for the project: "We're glad that you believe in us; that this responsible large scale mining project will be a lot better than the unregulated and illegal small scale mining, considering that we will be working hand in hand or in strong collaboration with the government on this. Our community development plan is proof of our commitment to value our community."

The proposed world-class King-king project aspires to construct a safe and modern mine with responsible environmental protection that will help build long-term prosperity and economic diversity in the area.