by Alfredo Gonzaga, TVIRD Canatuan Electrical Superintendent

We like to think that our department plays a crucial role in ensuring that the Canatuan Sulphide project runs smoothly. It’s hard to imagine life in Canatuan without power, transportation and communication, which our department maintains and provides for everyone.

I have been with this company for three years now. Heading the Mobile and Electrical section of the Maintenance Department is a great experience for me. The skilled and highly competent supervisors and men in our team have consistently managed to deliver what management expects of them.

Many employees do not know exactly how our group functions and contributes to the success of the Canatuan operations. This blog is an opportunity for us to inform everyone about this; for me to introduce my brothers in service whom I consider as a vital cog in the successful recovery of metallic concentrates and in the easy access of employees to the equipment they use every day.

Imagine if the electricity in our respective offices and rooms in our staff houses fails to light up your bulbs, power your computers, turn on your water purifiers and heaters. Our plant equipment and machines will not run without power to spin the turbines or run the motors of the crusher, ball mill, flotation circuits, filter press, among others. It would also be a disaster if we do not have the power required at the Assay and Metallurgical laboratory.

We also need our drivers and the vehicles they steer to bring people all over the mine and outside it. We need them to transport our supplies and equipment from Zamboanga City to the mine site. Without our efficient drivers and vehicles, it would be a nightmare! We will not be able to eat, do our laundry, or perform our assigned tasks.

This, however, will not happen. Our reason for being is to provide everyone with energy and transportation whenever these are needed and in the most efficient manner. We provide these services on a 24/7 bases. Our team is always ready to work overtime whenever necessary.

Allow me introduce the members of my team: Mamerto Piquet, a.k.a. “Chief Mamert”, Cool, young at heart and hardworking, he is our consultant mechanic. One of our electrical experts is Felicisimo “Jun” Trayvilla, our foreman and a brother who never walks away from any work assign to him.

Then we have our drivers who always give their best. These macho men are responsible for the mobility of TVIRD employees and members of the Subanon community. From the Mobile Team, we have the ever-reliable Eduardo “Pandong” Abiera, the most senior of our drivers; Manuel, Driver-Mechanic 3; Suelito Ayog, Driver-Mechanic 2; Johnny Dandana Bason, Driver-Mechanic 1; Joeben Torres Billote, Driver-Mechanic 2; Nelson Dela Cerna Calexterio, Driver-Mechanic 1; Joventino Kong Canete, Mechanic 3; Ruben Limbang Dandana, Driver-Mechanic 2; Sonny Inoh, Driver-Mechanic 1; Adonis Inso - Mechanic 1; Arnold Lagdamen, Driver-Mechanic 1; Floro Pacatang, Driver-Mechanic 1; Pilarito Pantalita, Driver-Mechanic 2; Joseph Guttierrez Sonido, Driver/Mechanic; Albert Angcot, Fuel Truck Helper; Bernardo Dandana, Mechanic Helper; Arnold Huerbana Fuentes, Driver-Mechanic 1; Jefferson Nolasco Gurrea, Auto Electrician; Edgar Manico Monteclaro, Driver-Mechanic 1; Zoilo Enguito Opaon, Mechanic Helper; Nelson Briones Pepito, Fuel Truck Helper; Elgin Tumangkis, Fuel Truck Helper; Armando Malalis Ciruela, Welder; William Tabaya Torres, Welder; and Jorge Anong Obongen, Helper.



From the Electrical Team, who takes care of our generator sets to ensure continuous power supply for the plant and community, we have Kharl Fred Laurente Alterado, Power Tender 1; Godofredo Tambiga Balabat, Power Tender; Victor Eustaquio Buenvenida, Electrician 2; Jorry Urdaneta Cahilig, Power Tender 1; Edzel Ende Gegrimos, Electrician 1; Alfredo Sumilong Gonzaga, Electrical Superintendent; Ruel Mangubat Labastilla, Power Tender 1; Reynante Guisona Lubrido, Electrician 2; Eduardo Flores Mozo, Electrician 3; Felix Javier Pagado, Electrician 1; Romel Galera Prudente, Power Tender 1; Andy Titao Tii, Power Tender 1; Ryan Gumandao Dalman, Electrical Helper; Oscar Anoy Dandana, Electrical Helper’ Jimmy Gumamay Dandana, Electrical Helper; Rolando Echem, Power Tender; Ramon Atis Mino, Electrician; Norberto Flores Molina, Electrician; Ronan Roy Quijano Perez, Electrician; Anastacio Virgilio Bernardo, Power Tender; Jene Dionaldo Cainta, Power Tender; and Ronnie Ceniza Quinquiero, Power Tender.

The members of our team contributed their share to the construction of the Sulphide Plant. The Electrical Team, on one hand, made sure that every single wire was properly checked. A single mistake may result in serious damage to production equipment. The Mobile Team, on the other, helped in transporting some production equipment parts from Zamboanga City to the plant site.

For this opportunity, I wish to thank the TVIRD Management Team, particularly our Vice President for Phil Operations Yulo E. Perez, our boss Ely Valmores, the other managers and staff from other departments, the TVIRD workforce and the community for their understanding and support. We will always cherish every moment of our stay here. Our team is at your service 24 hours a day.