Business

Berong Nickel Trains Women, IP Operators

Makati—(PHStocks)—Berong Nickel Corp. (BNC), a joint venture between DMCI Holdings Inc.’s (PSE: DMC) DMCI Mining Corp. and Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corp. (PSE: AT), has developed a skills development program that provides unskilled females and indigenous peoples from its host communities with high-value employment.

Under the program, trainees undergo around 150 hours of operations and maintenance training so they can transition from being spotters and laborers into hydraulic excavator operators.

“Hydraulic excavator operators earn double compared to unskilled workers. The additional income will go a long way in addressing the needs of their families,” said DMCI Mining president Cesar F. Simbulan.

To date, 62 locals have completed the program. Eight are Tagbanuas and five are women. Majority have secured jobs at BNC while a few have transferred to other mining companies.

“Mahirap i-budget yung kinikita ko dati. Ngayon na nagbago na yung rate namin, hindi na masyadong mahirap,” shared Rofely Saldajeno, a widow with three children. Saldejano finished second in the training program and now works at BNC.

BNC is the only mining company in the Philippines that offers hydraulic operator training to women and IPs.

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