Mining Firm and Nueva Vizcaya University Join Hands to Save Indigenous Culture

Responsible Mining: OceanaGold and NVSU partner to preserve Tuwali heritage through the IP Culture Revitalization Program. Read how responsible mining helps students in Nueva Vizcaya

By: Leander C. Domingo

BAMBANG, Nueva Vizcaya – A mining company and a state university are working together to make sure that the traditions of the Tuwali people in Ifugao do not disappear.

OceanaGold Philippines (OGP) recently strengthened its partnership with Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU). This is part of the company’s “Indigenous Peoples (IP) Culture Revitalization Program.” The goal is simple: to keep the local culture alive while the world modernizes.

A Special Gift for Students OceanaGold President Joan Adaci-Cattiling led the donation of traditional Tuwali clothes to the Ifugao Student Association (ISA) at the NVSU Bambang campus. For the students, these are not just costumes. They are a symbol of who they are.

“This is not just a gesture,” said Adaci-Cattiling. “It is a tool for education. It allows students to wear their authentic clothes during festivals and school programs.”More Than Just Mining The program is part of OceanaGold’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The company, which operates the Didipio Mine in Kasibu, believes that mining should also help protect the community’s heritage. Aside from culture, they also support education, health, and livelihood in the province.

University officials, including Vice Presidents Carlo Vadil and Jonar Yago, praised the partnership. They said it helps the university provide “inclusive education,” where even students from indigenous groups feel proud and supported.

A Promise for the Future OceanaGold promised to continue their support. They plan to help with cultural documentation and language preservation. This ensures that the benefits of mining will last much longer than the gold in the ground.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

EDITOR’S NOTES: The Digital Pulse of Accountability

At Breaking News Online PH, we see these initiatives from OceanaGold as the “Social License” that every large-scale industry must earn. For instance, the commitment shown through their “Action Agad” CSR projects—such as providing a dedicated ambulance and a specialized health center for residents in remote upland towns—is a “Digital Pulse” of progress that cannot be ignored.

While mining will always have its critics, the tangible benefits—from life-saving emergency rides to professional licenses for IP students—provide a model of how corporate resources can be used to uplift the very heart of the community.

Beyond the cultural preservation, progress in Nueva Vizcaya is felt through life-saving services. As part of their CSR, OceanaGold – based in Brgy. Didipio, Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines—has established a medical response system that is unparalleled in the region.

Unlike other remote areas, the Didipio Mine maintains its own dedicated Emergency Ambulance and a 24/7 medical team. This ensures that the people of Kasibu and neighboring barangays have an immediate response and access to critical care during medical emergencies.

Furthermore, the company has built a multi-million peso Family Health Center that serves as a primary medical hub for hundreds of families, providing free medicines and regular check-ups that are often out of reach, especially for marginalized sectors.

The investment also extends to the future of the youth. Through the Community Development Fund (CDF), OceanaGold has produced over 270 graduate scholars, providing an annual stipend that allows indigenous students to pursue degrees in Engineering, Agriculture, and Education. These scholars have become professionals ready to lead their communities toward a brighter, more sustainable future.

These scholars are the new “gold” produced by OceanaGold in Nueva Vizcaya, transforming their lives as they become licensed professionals and board passers. They are now serving their communities and supporting the company’s sustainable livelihood programs, such as coffee production and the traditional “Mun-Abol” (weaving) cooperatives..

By providing modern tools and market access, they are ensuring that the lives of the residents remain vibrant and self-sufficient, even long after the life of the mine.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PS : This story was written by LEANDER C. DOMINGO, a veteran journalist and correspondent for The Manila Times (Northern Luzon). This article first appeared at the official website of Philippine Resources: The Magazine for Mining & Construction and is shared here as a special contribution to Breaking News Online PH.

DOMINGO serves as a correspondent for The Manila Times (Nueva Vizcaya-Northern Luzon) and the editor of Breaking News Online PH (Nueva Ecija-Central Luzon). This collaboration highlights a shared commitment to grassroots journalism—elevating regional stories from the heart of Luzon to the global stage