KORONADAL CITY -- Foreign-backed miner Sagittarius Mines Inc. has gained the support anew of five host communities straddling the Tampakan copper-gold project, officials confirmed last week.

Sagittarius and the local government unit of Tampakan reached a new four-year deal last month that, among others, raised the development fund extended by the firm from P2 million to P4 million annually.

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Last week, Sagittarius and the villages of Tablu, Danlag and Pulabato formally inked an amended Barangay Principal Agreement (BPA), said John B. Arnaldo, the firm's communication manager.

A company source, who requested anonymity for lack of authority to speak to the media, said the firm also signed fresh agreements with two other barangays -- Datal Blao in Columbio, Sultan Kudarat and Kimlawis in Kiblawan, del Sur.

The improved agreements, which shall be reviewed after four years, increased the development fund extended by Sagittarius to the five villages from P1 million to P3 million each, the source added.

The P3 million would be retroactive to 2007, according to the source.

Sagittarius, which is controlled by global mining player Xstrata Copper with Australian Indophil Resources NL as junior partner, has been extending the financial aid to the four villages in the towns of Tampakan and Columbio in the last 12 years, the source said.

Barangay Kimlawis in Kiblawan town has been a recipient of the company's development fund in recent years only.

The signing of the BPAs happened amid the strong opposition waged by the local Catholic Church and environmental groups on concerns for human health, the environment and food security.

Meanwhile, Tampakan acting Mayor Pedro A. Cagas has declared June 20 as the official "Tampakan-Sagittarius Partnership Day." Such date is the foundation anniversary of the town, now on its 40th year.

During the festivities, the town staged a "parade for partnership" where 4,000 Tampakan residents joined hands and marched "in support and recognition of the strong relationship that exists between the community and Sagittarius."

Cagas said the earlier signing of the municipal principal agreement (MPA) and the three BPAs "will uplift the quality of life of Tampakenos."

In a statement, Mark Williams, Sagittarius general manager, cited the MPA signing as a testimony to the "genuine partnership" between the company and the people of Tampakan to pursue sustainable community development as a major by-product of the Tampakan copper-gold project.

"SMI has time and again showed its commitment to Tampakan's development. To date, SMI provided basis for social and economic development not only in Tampakan, but also in the region as well. We continuously commit to invest in skills, social development and economic benefits that will remain with the communities and its people even long after our operation ends," Williams said.

"We are happy to have a positive impact on the lives of the people of Tampakan. We look forward to our lasting, stronger and sustainable partnership. We shall be your long-term partner for development and progress," he added. (BSS)