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February 21-22, 2023: Bayan Innovation Group (BIG) was commissioned by the Philippine Gold Processing & Refining Corp. (PGPRC) to conduct a strategic planning workshop for sustainable development in Legazpi City for the private organizations located in Aroroy and Batuan towns of Masbate Province. Leading this multi-stakeholder project were BIG’s Executive Director, Prof. Carlo Sagun, and Senior Program Manager, Leigh de Guzman. 

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The need for community interventions that will last

In the further regions of Masbate province sits the municipality of Aroroy and its untouched white sand beaches. This remote town was once classified as a fifth class municipality and was largely inaccessible. But the tides shifted in 2007 when the Masbate Gold Project (MGP) officially began mining and milling operations in Aroroy, with Filminera as the mining operator and PGPRC as the developer and owner of the processing plant. 

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The municipality of Aroroy struck gold, experiencing robust economic growth following the first gold pour in May 2009. Valued at 250-million USD, the MGP is the biggest single-private investment in Masbate, which propelled Aroroy to become the only first class municipality in the province.

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Understanding that the mining operations would eventually cease, PGPRC now looks towards sustainable development projects to ensure continued growth in Masbate’s protected areas. PGPRC thus collaborated with BIG to facilitate a two-day workshop with the area’s stakeholders. The workshop was conducted to introduce the area stakeholders to the concept of social enterprises (SEs) and how cultivating SEs can sustain these communities in the years to come. 

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A strategic plan for sustainable development

Before starting the workshop proper, BIG’s team visited Bulusan Lake in neighboring Sorsogon province to examine how the local economy functioned. Mr. Sagun observed that the stakeholders that were operating in the protected area functioned like a social enterprise. Their revenues were primarily drawn from the area but also channeled back to the community. In the words of Bulusan’s Tourism Officer, Veronica Gallanosa,  “Bulusan Volcano Natural Park’s ecotourism model is actually being run as  a social enterprise.” 

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From Bulusan, the BIG team proceeded to Albay, where the workshop proper was held.  Participants included members of the Masbate Provincial Local Government Unit (with selected officers from various municipal offices), People’s Organizations, and DENR representatives. On the first day, the BIG team introduced the concepts of Systems Thinking in Area Development, as well as Social Entrepreneurship and Social Enterprise Development as Sustainable Approaches to Area Development. Participants were also shown how to properly scope their environment - i.e. the processes of opportunity seeking, screening and seizing for social enterprise development. 

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Day 2 focused on the application of Day 1’s concepts. Participants went through workshops on Strategic Area Development Planning and Outcomes-based Management.   To conclude the 2-day workshop, the participants did a visioning and goal-setting exercise, mapped out their sustainable development plans for Aroroy, and presented their outputs to the group.

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The BIGger picture

Aroroy is just one of many localities with untapped potential. With social enterprises being a key contributor to sustainable communities, BIG sees the need to broaden the country’s understanding of social enterprises and SE development.  

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Along with its private and public sector partners, BIG continues to work on meaningful interventions that can sustain communities for the long-term. 

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