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MANILA – Integrated energy firm Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC) has announced the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccination plan for its workers and residents in Semirara Island as it ramps up its pandemic response.
At the company’s annual stockholders’ meeting Monday, SMPC president and chief operating officer Maria Cristina Gotianun said the company targets to inoculate 5,476 employees and indirect workers in its mine site, power plant complex, and corporate office by the second half of the year.
“The bulk of our vaccines will go to our Semirara Island workforce, as their location limits their access to timely and quality healthcare,” Gotianun said.
She added residents of Semirara Island who want to be vaccinated can receive free jabs from SMPC.
Gotianun said SMPC will also assist the local government unit in transporting, storing, and administering Covid-19 vaccines.
Aside from helping the government to inoculate Filipinos against Covid-19, Gotianun added the company has also increased its employee quarantine facility by 27 percent to 276 beds.
“Plant employees who are confirmed or suspected to have Covid-19 will continue to receive their salaries despite being in quarantine,” she added.
Meanwhile, Gotianun said SMPC expects better performance of its coal business this year after a drop in sales last year due to decline in demand from China because of quarantine restrictions and tighter import quotas.
For the power segment, SMPC targets to close bilateral contracts for around 70 percent of its total capacity next year.
SMPC is the country’s only power producer that owns and mines its own fuel source.
This allows the company to generate affordable power for Luzon and Visayas grids. (PNA)
