#ShapedbyCSU: An Alumnus’ Commitment to Safety and Community Beyond the Mines

In Carascal, Surigao del Sur, where the mountains meet the roar of heavy equipment that shapes the day, one alumnus of Caraga State University carries a responsibility far greater than the machines he oversees. 

At 33, Engr. Jason G. Alferez stands at the forefront of one of the region’s largest mining operations, guiding the Safety and Health Department of Carascal Nickel Corporation with a steady hand and an unwavering commitment to protecting the people behind the industry. Nearly 2,000 workers rely on the systems he builds, the principles he upholds, and the leadership he embodies.

Mining is often imagined as a world of danger and risk, but for Engr. Alferez, it has become a calling grounded in competence, community, and the unwavering belief that every worker deserves to go home safely.

The road toward this responsibility began long before he ever set foot on a mining site. His path toward this role was not a straight line, but every detour prepared him for the work he would one day be entrusted with.

A Shift in Direction and the Start of a Calling

Engr. Alferez did not originally plan to become a mining engineer. In 2008, he first enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Electronics Communications Engineering (BSECE) program at Caraga State University and spent three years in the program—long enough to picture a different future. However, life had a way of steering him toward something more in line with his roots.

By his third year in BSECE, one of his physics professors opened his eyes to a field that aligned more closely with his strengths and upbringing. Mining engineering, his professor suggested, offered a dynamic and field-based path that Engr. Alferez could excel in. The idea resonated deeply, especially with his father working in a mining company. 

So, when CSU opened the Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering program, Engr. Alferez became part of its pioneering batch. Many feared shifting to a newly opened program, but he embraced the challenge.

That shift, however, did not come without its sacrifices. Several of his major subjects from his former program were not credited. As Engr. Alferez recalled, it was almost a year’s worth of credits that would no longer be of use as he continued on this new path. That forced him to extend by a year and delay his march at graduation.

He even took his licensure examination before being allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony. Still, he pushed through and completed his degree in 2014. Looking back, he speaks of CSU with gratitude, saying it shaped both the person and the professional he is today.

Forged in CSU’s Rigor

When asked about his student life, Engr. Alferez did not sugarcoat his time in CSU. He remembered his engineering journey as difficult, demanding, but deeply transformative. Engineering, he said, was no joke, especially during his time. Passing rates could be brutal. There were semesters when only a handful of students passed certain subjects, especially under instructors known for maintaining high academic standards.

For Engr. Alferez, that challenge was not unique to him. It was a universal experience shared by CSU engineering students, something that bonded them through the grind. “Maka-experience g’yod ka sa isa ka subject, 100 students [pero] lima lang ang makapasar,” he said. “Good thing, isa ko sa mga makapasar. Mao to among motto sauna, ‘bahala’g tres basta one take.’” [You will really get to experience a subject that has 100 students, but only five will pass. Good thing, I am one of the few passers. That is why our motto at the time was, “It’s okay to have a grade of three, so long as you only take the subject once.]

That kind of environment could easily overwhelm anyone, but Engr. Alferez chose to rise with it. The rigor taught him resilience. The long nights, the fieldwork, the research requirements, and the constant pressure to keep up with the demands of engineering molded him into someone capable of adapting to the real world. 

CSU instilled in him discipline, responsibility, and integrity. Its culture of excellence prepared him not just for the technical aspects of engineering, but for the unpredictable challenges of professional life.

He recalled how demanding the training was, describing it as both rigorous and rewarding. “The university highlights the combination of academic excellence and practical fieldwork […] and the training prepared us to adapt to challenges as professionals,” he said.

These experiences shaped not only his mindset but also his principles. “True success is built in competence, character, and service,” Engr. Alferez emphasized—values he still carries every day in the field.

When he finally took the licensure exam, he passed. Despite the setbacks in his academic journey, he emerged ready to face the next chapter.

The road to success

After earning his degree, Engr. Alferez began his career at PhilSaga Mining Corporation as an operations engineer. The fieldwork was intense, but it taught him the realities of mining. After a year, he was rotated to the Safety and Health Department—a move that would define the next decade of his life.

After three years and six months in PhilSaga, Engr. Alferez transferred to Marcventures Mining and Development Corporation in Surigao del Sur, where he continued working in Safety and Health for one year and two months. He later moved to Semirara Mining and Power Corporation in Antique, where he spent three years and eight months—his longest and most formative assignment to date.

Semirara became one of the most formative chapters of his career, sharpening his expertise in occupational safety and health and preparing him for higher leadership roles.

When the pandemic struck, Engr. Alferez and his wife returned to Mindanao. Despite continuing to work remotely for Semirara, a new opportunity arose at Carascal Nickel Corporation. He submitted his application one morning and received a call for an interview that same evening. By then, CNC had seen enough of his track record: years of solid operational experience, advanced safety training, and proven leadership. He soon joined the company as head of its Safety and Health Department.

Today, he oversees compliance with safety regulations, risk assessments, emergency preparedness, and health and welfare systems for thousands of workers. In his role, Engr. Alferez is guided by a clear principle: safety must always come first. It is a commitment he has carried throughout his career, one that has been strengthened by years of training and hands-on experience in the field.

For him, safety is not an add-on to mining operations—it is the foundation that holds everything together. He believes that genuine leadership means setting standards, enforcing them consistently, and ensuring that no shortcut or output goal ever compromises people’s safety. As he emphasized, “Competence should always be paired with integrity. No amount of productivity should compromise the well-being of people.”

This mindset shapes the systems he builds, the teams he leads, and the practices he continues to strengthen in the industry.

Leading Communities and Inspiring the Next Generation

Beyond CNC, Engr. Alferez serves as President of the Caraga Safety and Health Council—a regional body composed of engineers, medical, health, and safety practitioners working to uplift safety standards across mining companies.

And since he sat as the council’s president in 2022, Engr. Alferez has seen the region transform. Years ago, mining operations recorded a haunting ten to fifteen casualties annually. However, through the efforts of the council he is leading, many are now reaching zero. 

“Dako kaayo’g improvement,” [There was a huge improvement] he said, crediting the strengthened safety laws, company compliance, and the council’s consistent monitoring. CNC itself recorded thirty-six million safe man-hours without a lost-time accident, earning recognition from the ASEAN Mineral Awards.

These improvements reinforce Engr. Alferez’s belief that safety is not just a rulebook—it is a commitment to people. For him, preventing accidents is only one part of responsible mining. The other is making sure that communities living around mining areas are not left behind. Through his work, he has seen how support for livelihood, education, health, and basic infrastructure can significantly improve the lives of people affected by mining activities.

“Ang among mining operations sa field ng mining, dili mi mahimugso saamoang company karon kung wala ang community,” he said. [Our mining operations in the field of mining would not reach their feat today without the affected community.]

To Engr. Alferez, these are not corporate duties—they are moral responsibilities. His work in both the council and the company reflects the values he has carried since his years in CSU: competence, integrity, and service. And every step he takes in the field validates those principles.

Reflecting on His Journey and Guiding Future Engineers

As he looks ahead, Engr. Alferez hopes to continue strengthening regional safety systems, expand accreditation programs, and mentor the young engineers who will inherit the industry’s future. The deeper he goes into this field, the more he realizes that his journey has never been solely about technical training—it has been about becoming someone who understands the weight of protecting lives.

Now, standing in a role that influences the safety of thousands, he sees how deeply CSU shaped the way he leads. The lessons he learned in the university were not purely academic. They were personal. They taught him to stay calm under pressure, to remain decisive when situations demand clarity, and to stay grounded in values that guide him even when circumstances become difficult.

He knows that many students today feel uncertain about where they are headed. He was once in that position too, unsure of the path ahead and learning to trust the process one step at a time. “Ako pud sauna niagi pud ko ana,” he shared. “Normal ra na siya. But embrace challenges. Be patient. Stay disciplined.” [I also experienced that before. That is normal.]

For Engr. Alferez, growth does not end at graduation. He encourages future engineers and students to continue learning, to remain curious, and to view every experience as preparation for something greater. Continuous learning, he believes, is what keeps professionals grounded and capable in a field that constantly evolves.

In view of his decade of experience, he has one message for the country’s future professionals: “Always remember that your degree is not just about securing a job, it is about making a positive impact on your community and industry.”

And through every chapter of his story, he carries with him the same foundation that shaped him at CSU: competence in his craft, service to his community, and uprightness in every decision that protects the lives of others.