The Community Action, Relations and Empowerment (CARE) Department performs the function of the Community Relations Office as defined in the DENR Administrative Order for the Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 7942, which is to marshal the resources needed and to facilitate/coordinate the successful implementation of the Social Development and Management Program (SDMP), and the Programs on Development of Mining Technology and Geosciences (MTGD) and on Information Education and Communication (IEC).

The SDMP is an annual plan of action undertaken by the officials, residents and stakeholders of the host and neighboring communities, facilitated by the Community Relations Department of RRPP, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau ROV, and other government agencies and organizations; aimed at assisting in the development of the host and neighboring communities of the Project. Development programs identified in the annual SDMP seek to promote the general welfare of the inhabitants of the beneficiary-communities and advance sustainable development as a strategy for community development.

Host community refers to the barangays where the mining is located, and neighboring community refers to the barangays adjacent to the host community. The Project’s Direct Impact Areas (DIA’s) are barangays Malobago, Binosawan and Pagcolbon; and its Indirect Impact Areas (IIA’s) are barangays Linao, Sta. Barbara and Tinopan. In RRPP’s March 2011 survey, the total population of the six barangays was 3, 429.

The budget allocation for the SDMP is annually derived from the 75% of 1.5% of the Project’s operating cost. This amount is allocated for credited programs and activities on the following areas of concern: infrastructure development, education support, enterprise development, health services, human resource development, and protection and respect of socio-cultural values. An allocation of 10% and 15% of 1.5% of operating cost is also appropriated annually for the implementation of the Development of Mining Technology and Geosciences (MTGD) and Information Education and Communication (IEC) Programs, respectively.

The MTGDP focuses on programs for the development of mining technology and geosciences, such as support to scholarships, advanced studies on mining, basic and applied research on mining technology and geosciences, and support to publications or technical journals regarding the industry. The IEC supports the promotion of public awareness and education on mining technology and geosciences.

From 2005 to 2011, more than Php 86M have been spent for SDMP projects in the six (6) DIA’s and IIA’s of the Project.