Plimaco, together with another small-scale miner named Johnson Batiangao, entered a mining tunnel located in Coros, Bib, Bokod, Benguet Province last August 3, 2012 to install timber support when the tunnel suddenly caved in due to incessant rains. Batiangao, who was able to get out of the tunnel, sought help from the Philippine National Police, who in turn, sought the assistance of BenguetCorp.
BenguetCorpimmediately dispatched an initialrescue team, headed by Safety Manager Melchor Taclobao, to the Bokod tunnel, and was briefed of the situation by Bokod Mayor Mauricio Macay and other municipal and barangay officials. The rescue operations were proving to be difficult due to the inferior dimensions of the tunnel, and the presence of muck, produced by the loose ground saturated with rain water.
Rescuers installed a PVC pipe to serve as Pilmaco's lifeline for food and air while rescue operations were being undertaken, after initial efforts failedwhen sudden muck flows covered up the alternative passage ways the rescuers created. BenguetCorp sent a reinforcement team of miners to the mine site, to provide assistance to the initial rescue teams which included miners from Philex Mining Corporation, who were working round the clock to rescue the trapped miner. Pilmaco was finally rescued on August 10, 2012, and was immediately turned over to the municipal physician for treatment.
BenguetCorp President Benjamin Philip Romualdez lauded the swift and courageous efforts of its miners last August 14, where he personally thanked his employees and awarded them with certificates of commendation and tokens. Also present during the awarding ceremony, which also served as BenguetCorp.'s 109th anniversary celebration, was Itogon Mayor Oscar Camantiles and ItogonBarangay Chairman Noel Bili-Bili.
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