By ALMA B. SINUMLAG
www.nordis.net

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — During the press briefing on the 95th foundation day of Benguet State University (BSU) here on June 23, the Vice President for Research and Extension (VPRE) clarified the university’s linkage to Goldfields Inc.

Julia Solimen, the VPRE said that the research division of the unversity was requested by the municipality of Mankayan to assist them in their community integrated barangay development plan (IDBP) for 10 years. They then facilitated and documented the town’s sitio plannings.

In the sitio plannings, Solimen said the communities were asked of their priority projects, and what projects would they want to have in their respective sitios. After the said planning, she said Goldfields will help the said communities on how to attain those.

Solimen iterated that there has not been any memorandum of agreement (MOA) entered into by the university and the mine firm.

She added that the facilitation and documentation of the said planning covering the whole municipality was already finished and they are now collating the data gathered.

Aside from sitio planning, the university also facilitated sectoral congress for farmers, women, senior citizens and youth.

On the other hand, in one invitation letter signed by Feliece Yeban, the Corporate CSD Manager of Far Southeast (FSE) – Goldfields, it was stated, “in April 2011, Goldfields, in partnership with the municipal government of Mankayan embarked on a very important project, the crafting of the Integrated Barangay Development Plan in each of the 12 barangays by the people themselves”.

Moreover, it was also stated that Goldfields engaged the services of BSU to facilitate the whole process that included planning at the sitio level and planning by sector using the Assets – Based Approach.

The culmainating ceremonies of the IDBP will be held at 9 AM on June 27 at Dangwa Hall in Mankayan.

BSU’s interest in Mankayan

Meanwhile, Solimen said that they are looking forward for their tie-up with the municipality of Mankayan in terms of agricultural trainings. “In the past, we are not tapped by the municipality because of the notion that Mankayan is mainly a mining town,” she said.

She added that it was found out that the town is more of an agricultural than a mining town. The municipality accordingly has a plan to improve its agriculture. “We are looking forward to sign an agreement with them for that purpose,” she said. # nordis.net