The Iloilo Quarry Permittees Association, Inc. (IQPAI) distributed textbooks and workbooks to elementary schools in selected host barangays of Maasin, Leon, Guimbal and Anilao, Iloilo through the Unified Social Development Management Program (SDMP). Educational assistance in the form of textbooks and workbooks is one of the priority projects of the quarry permittees association’s SDMP for this year.
The IQPAI allotted P50, 000.00 for the school books to augment the lacking supply of barangay schools from Grades 1-6.
The IQPAI distributed a total of 165 textbooks and workbooks to 5 barangay schools from June to August this year – Brgy. Trangka Elementary School in Maasin on July 17, 2009, Leon Elementary School on June 26, 2009, Brgy. Sipitan-Badiang Elementary School in Guimbal on July 7, 2009, Brgy. Cag-an Elementary School in Leon on July 10, 2009 and in Dueñas Elementary School on August 14, 2009.
Ms. Asuncion Cepeda, President of the IQPAI said that giving back to the community such as through educational assistance is close to the hearts of the IQPAI members. They see the Unified SDMP as an effective way for them to implement community assistance projects as one organization instead of individually.
She further added that through the Unified SDMP, she sees quarry permit holders working hand in hand, going to remote barangays, consulting barangay leaders and residents, planning and executing projects that can help these communities.
The Iloilo Quarry and Permittees Association, Inc. (IQPAI) organized themselves in 2002 and since then, has embarked on different environmental and social development endeavors.
RD Juguan, Regional Director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Region 6 said that so far, the IQPAI in Iloilo has actively implemented the Unified SDMP.
Region 6 initiated the implementation of a unified SDMP with the idea of pooling the SDMP Fund of LGU-issued quarry, sand and gravel and small scale mining permit holders to come-up with relevant, visible and high-impact project/s for the host communities.
He added that it’s inspiring to see ‘miners’ planting trees, distributing textbooks, helping in renovation of schools, church buildings, and roads, giving jetmatic pumps, and other projects to help the host communities.
He further commends the sincerity of the IQPAI in helping host communities, giving assistance, doing these projects not because it is required of them but because they really wan to help.