Two mining companies operating in Masbate province have accomplished a milestone of six years, or 2,192 days, without a lost time injury (LTI) involving their workers, employees and contractors as of this November.

In an interview on Friday, Marionne Ruiz, spokesperson for Filminera Resources Corp. (FRC), said the achievement to secure the safety of more than 2,051 individuals is the result of collaborative efforts with Phil. Gold Processing and Refining Corp. (Phil. Gold).

FRC and Phil. Gold both operate at the Masbate Gold Project site in Aroroy town.

"Both companies have implemented effective procedures to ensure the safety and well-being of every employee after each shift and work rotation," Ruiz explained.

She credited the six-year success to a strong commitment to “zero harm" policy.

"This policy is underpinned by a culture of injury prevention, where employees and contractors are encouraged to prioritize their own safety and the safety of others. Robust occupational health, safety, social and environmental management systems have been crucial in achieving these outcomes," she added.

She said Filminera trained an emergency response team in both basic and advanced techniques for hazardous materials spill response, vehicle extrication, rope access and rescue, firefighting, fire truck operation, and the use of self-contained breathing apparatus.

Employees also undergo annual physical examinations and laboratory tests, which include blood counts, stool examinations, urinalysis and chest X-rays, among others.

Health awareness programs focused on illness prevention are likewise being conducted on-site by occupational health staff.

These programs include free vaccinations for hepatitis, typhoid, pneumococcal disease, rabies, and tetanus for employees, respirable dust monitoring, zero-alcohol and drug level tests, and other relevant programs from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Department of Health.

In a statement, Phil. Gold president Ryan Rusk highlighted a collaborative approach to safety, emphasizing the teamwork of leadership, employees, and contractors in identifying and mitigating hazards.

“I believe we have fostered a safety culture that extends beyond the project site. Workers in the mine and the mill, including our contractors, have embraced safety consciousness and awareness, influencing their families and neighbors as well," Rusk said.

Filminera president Cris Acosta stressed the importance of vigilance in safety practices.

"The continuous effort to maintain our safety performance requires a commitment that transcends individual job functions. This achievement is fragile and we must celebrate it with a promise to keep working towards maintaining it," Acosta said.

Phil. Gold received the national silver award in the 13th Gawad Kaligtasan at Kalusugan from the DOLE Occupational Safety and Health Center in 2022.

Filminera earned the Platinum prize in the Philippine Mineral Industry Excellence Award at the Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference in the same year. 

Earlier this week, the firm gained recognition as a top performing employer in the private sector from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation in Bicol.

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