CAGDIANAO, Dinagat Islands–Acknowledging the importance of reliable transportation during emergencies–especially in light of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic–Nickel Asia Corp. affiliate Cagdianao Mining Corp. (CMC) acquired emergency transport units totaling PHP23.5 million.
The transport units consisted of two mini-buses worth PHP19.8 million, an ambulance unit worth PHP3.7 million, and the PHP10 million “CMC Seaborne Barracuda.”
The emergency transport vehicles aim to improve CMC’s emergency response and logistics capability in serving its employees and the residents of the communities.
The brand new ambulance that transports patients to and from the district hospitals in Dinagat Islands is an added “peace of mind” for the residents, according to Dr. Alvin Pura, CMC Physician.
“One critical aspect in a health crisis is a reliable transport system that will move patients as efficiently as possible for them to get immediate medical attention. Our barangay health workers would first refer patients to the CMC clinic and if needing major administration, they will then be ferried to the nearest hospital,” Dr. Pura explained.
Teodoro Alipayo, who is in-charge of the Incident Command Post of the Municipality of Cagdianao, noted that CMC’s response vehicles serve not just the emergency calls from the residents but also attend to locally stranded individuals who need to be picked up from the San Jose port and to be transported to their respective quarantine areas.
Engr. Arnilo C. Milaor, CMC Resident Mine Manager, underscored the importance of having available and efficient emergency-response vehicles that the communities can rely on.
“These vehicles help save lives because these vehicles allow us to immediately respond to emergency situations and assist us in our goal of always protecting the residents of our host communities,” Milaor added.
Milaor said tha once the company completes the required permits from the MARINA, the Seaborne Barracuda can travel to other provinces for both operational and emergency purposes.
The watercraft ferries CMC personnel to and from ports of destinations in Dinagat Islands and Surigao City.
Meanwhile, barangay officials use the mini-buses for government-related events and activities around the island. They also regularly transport personnel going to work and when returning from their field break.
Milaor said the transport units prove vital to CMC’s operations, at the same time contributing to the improvement of the healthcare system in the province.
(Press Release/MJP)
(News & photo courtesy of Mining Journal Philippines Website)