Richard Fifer

2011 – 0719, Department of Executive Production
Three million dollars invested in road
In the recent past access to Coclesito was almost an adventure, especially in the rainy season when the main road leading to the village nestled in the mountains of Colon became twice as impassable.
The general consensus of the locals, industrious and friendly people, is that the 10 hours that it took to break the 27 km length of the rough road is now a bitter memory, today, that scene of mud and swollen rivers that conspired against  the dream and the movement of agricultural products fell behind thanks to accurate social responsibility programs conducted by the Petaquilla company led by entrepreneur Richard Fifer- Carles.

Another work of great social impact is the construction of the Coclesito High School, a joint effort between Petaquilla Gold, SA, Ministry of Education and the Municipal Council of the District of Donoso which donated 12 hectares of land to MEDUCA.

With regards to this, Donoso’s Mayor explains that the Petaquilla Company SA, provided materials and performed construction work that now allows youths the opportunity to continue their high school studies in their home town since most were hampered by lack of financial resources which prevented them from further progress in their studies.

The construction of the Coclesito High School led to the expansion of a hostel for teachers whose cost is estimated at 50 thousand dollars, the hostel (which was formerly a dilapidated wooden building that was not fit to accommodate people), was replaced by a modern building with three rooms for both men and women, bath and toilet, kitchen-dinning with full appliances and a spacious living room with furniture and television to entertain the teachers.

Nowadays the teachers have a good house, there is a huge difference from what existed before, they now spend the night in better conditions and do not have to pay anything thanks to the support of the Petaquilla Company SA who saw the problems that educators were experiencing in this area because they lived in a house that did not meet the minimum necessary conditions and the mining Company has given a boost to many people who need jobs because many farmers living in subsistence agriculture today have a fixed and secure source of income because they work in the mining project which has improved the quality of life for their families.

Infrastructure development has been the biggest benefit received by Coclesito mainly the construction of the Coclesito-Penonomé road, which has improved overland communication in this remote region of the country, as well as the construction of the Coclesito Hospital and the support provided by the Company who every time a person has a medical emergency in an inaccessible location provides company helicopters for emergency airlifts to the medical centers.

Another initiative developed by the Petaquilla Company SA in favor of the student population in the region is the “Hot Food”  program, according to teacher Elena Gonzalez Principal of  Coclesito High School, food is distributed to all school children from prekindergarten through tenth grade to approximately 477 students, and it also includes a total of 40 teachers.
“We understand that within the various and multiple initiatives that provide this social service development to the people, this is an indication of the intention to help in different areas, especially where we are in charge, which is the education area, that’s where these opportunities have been taken, of course things have changed when the company has become heavily involved, “said the school principal.

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2. Petaquilla Minerals Ltd.: Update on Petaquilla Infrastructure Ltd.
3. Testimonials from Authories in Donoso Area