Filminera  Resources Corporation has become one of the country’s largest operating gold  ventures. Filminera is the mining operator in the Masbate Gold Project (MGP)  located in Aroroy. The company holds mineral tenements located along a splay  of the Pliocene Philippine Fault System, and the rights and applications to  thousands of hectares. It sells the mined ore to Phil. Gold Processing &  Refining Corporation.

Filminera  and PGPRC’s continue to push for an improved way of living in the host  barangays of Aroroy and implement a Social Development and Management Program  (SDMP). SMDP has a tremendous impact on local educational and health  services, infrastructure and support systems, entrepreneurial development and  marketing, and the protection and respect of social and cultural values in  its impact barangays. To underscore, biodiversity, environmental protection,  and safety As part of the MGP’s compliance with existing laws and the  company's social responsibility, the conduct of a social acceptability survey  has been part of the process to gauge stakeholders' and communities’  perceptions continuously, level of trust and confidence, identify issues and  concerns; and consequently, craft a suitable and responsible plan to address  the perceived issues and concerns.  

This study involved conducting a household  survey, key informant interviews (KIIs), and focus group discussions (FGDs).  The household survey covered 1,030 respondents from the three possible impact  barangays (Ambolong, Bangon, and Talabaan).

A total of 26 informants participated in the  study, which included Barangay Captains, religious groups, the municipal  mayor, the vice mayor, PSWD/PENRO/ Sangguniang Panlalawigan members, and the  Provincial Administrator. On the other hand, the study team conducted 27  sessions of FGDs participated by members of the Sangguniang Bayan of Aroroy  (1 session), Municipal Department Heads (1 session), Barangay Council of  10  barangays (10 sessions), youth  groups (3 sessions), PWDs (3 sessions), Senior Citizens (3 sessions), Women’s  group (3 sessions), and small-scale miners (3 sessions).

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