THE weavers in Sitio Campandan in the island of Hinatuan have been contracted by Hinatuan Mining Corp. (HMC), a subsidiary of Nickel Asia Corp. (NAC), to produce 5000 seedling pots made of 'pandan dagat' (pandanus tectorius), which they call 'jobo pots,' in a per-contract arrangement worth P25,000. HMC engages the weavers as part of the mining company's environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives.

Rigena Perale, a 58-year old resident of Sitio Campandan, understands the value the contract contributes to HMC's goal of getting rid of plastics, which become seedling pots and augment the income of the people in the island.