T’BOLI, SOUTH COTABATO — A new office and production center for the T’boli Jewelers Association (TJA), a group of goldsmiths organized by the Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO) in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), was recently inaugurated in Poblacion, this municipality.
Nencita Acain, PEMO Mines and Geo-Sciences Division chief disclosed that the 2-storey building houses the group’s administrative office at the ground floor while their production center, where different gold and silver jewelries are created, is located on the second floor.
Board Member Hilario de Pedro VI, representing Governor Daisy Avance Fuentes and Dr. Salvecio Dagang, T’boli Municipal Administrator, representing Mayor Dibu Tuan joined the opening program which started with the cutting of the ribbon
Aside from the official turn-over of the building to TJA headed by its President Mary Ann Fagalas, the province likewise turned over a check worth P350,000.00 as financial assistance to the association.
The inauguration and turn-over was highlighted with the giving of jewelry tokens to Governor Fuentes, Board Member de Pedro, Mayor Tuan and Tribal Mining Corporation (TMC) President Atty. Eumir Tiamzon.
TMC donated I kilogram of silver to TJA during the conduct of its previous trainings facilitated by DOST Central Office.
PEMO will likewise facilitate the capacity-building cum study tour of TJA in Bulacan province this coming November to further enhance their workmanship in jewelry-making.
