Mining in the Philippines

The Philippine Government believes that a well-developed minerals industry is an option

that can catalyze economic development and community empowerment. Minerals are part

of its national patrimony, hence there is a big responsibility to maximize the benefits that

can be derived from their utilization with due regard to the protection of the environment and

without sacrificing the interests of communities.

Mining in the Philippines has long been prevalent since the mining boom decades ago. The

mineral wealth of our country is the cause of the mining movement that is said to be a big help

for the Philippines. Mining officials say that mining is the answer to the country’s poverty and

unemployment rate. Furthermore, mining operations usually happen in rural areas since mineral

resources are typically found in deep parts of land that are untouched and formed from a long

time ago. Minerals that are being mined are non-renewable resources, once used, it cannot be

used again. Although mining provides jobs, precious resources, and alleviates poverty, it

destroys the environment, affects the livelihood of the food producers, and harms the ecology of

the Philippines.

According to my internet sources, there are about 2 million jobless Filipinos. It really is

impossible to live without mines and it helps to create thousands of jobs here in our country. In

establishing mining businesses it is a fact well documented that there will be more investors who

will invest and this leads to higher employment thus having a positive impact in the Philippines

economic status. However, these things are yet unimaginable due to “monkey businesses”

between the businessmen and government officials leaving the normal people out of the picture.

A brief episode of the show “Failon Ngayon” with Ted Failon many years ago tackles the mining

in Palawan. Some of the people who were interviewed are living in towns where mining
operations are held. According to some of the natives in the area, the people that they know are

employed by the mining companies in their town, but those people are yet to achieve the

economic promise of mining. The jobs that they were given do not pay well enough compared to

what these workers have to go through in their occupation. Mining is present in their town but

many of them remain poor and underemployed.

Mining harnesses precious resources that are used in our everyday lives. The minerals that are

gathered by the mining operations are used in many materials across many industries that run

our world. It is a lie to say that mining can be done without affecting the surroundings of the

mining site. There are tons of issues that we’ve seen in television regarding mining, one would

be is the effects it contributed to the livelihood of the people living around the area of the mining

site. A farmer interviewed by ABS-CBN in their documentary said that crop production is low

since the arrival of mining operations in their area. Crop production is said to be affected by the

laterites extracted from the mines. Their rice production before the mining companies came

were 110 sacks a hectare, but when mining operations began; rice production alarmingly

decreased to only 50 sacks a hectare. That large depreciation of rice production is very

alarming and can be heavily attributed to mining even without scientific observation. The

shrinking of the rice variety made him feel lazy because for him there is no point in planting

anymore since production is low. In addition, farmers are not the only food producers affected

by the laterites brought by mining operations. Fishermen are also affected by the mining

operations in their area. An interview with a fisherman in the same documentary said that the

prawns caught recently in the lake were significantly smaller than the prawns from the previous

years. Many of them wanted to complain to an official but they do not know where to go or

whom to consult. Moreover, the cost of harnessing minerals, based on the first-hand accounts

of food producers, is greater than the revenue to be received from mining operations. The

destruction of lands and rivers are not worth the minerals extracted from the mines. It is such a
shame to think that the natives of the area who lived there for a long time are not the ones who

are benefiting from the land that they live in. Hence, with the destruction of the land and water, it

is hard to argue why they feel lazy or indolent to farm.

Poverty is another problem that mining hopes to solve. Mining companies include the alleviation

of poverty in their mission statements and making it their obligation to solve the economic

problems of our country. With that in mind, the question that should be asked is, “is it feasible?”

Mining companies can do anything they please about how their operations bring development in

our country, but development is still to be felt in the areas where the operations are held. Monsod

(internet source) says that the mining industry is correct in saying that statistics do not establish

causality, but questions still remain whether the claim that mining improves the quality of life in

its communities. Given what Monsod said, the presence of mining in a community does not

assure development and alleviation of poverty. Mining companies do not pay high salaries nor

does it give above standard employee benefits to its miners. Mining is not different from other

blue-collared jobs in the market. It still requires manual labor and back breaking work. Miners

work in hazardous mining sites with the hope of lifting themselves from the poverty line.

Furthermore, some of the farmers and fishermen from the area who were struck by the laterites

expounded by mining switched occupation and went to mining. The destruction of their

farmlands and fishponds compelled them to turn to mining because they think it is the best way

to earn more for themselves and their loved ones. In short, mining companies are just like

traditional politicians; they talk but never move.

Mining in the Philippines undoubtedly helps the country with minerals and jobs but it is

exaggerating to say that it is the way to development. Mining has long been present in our

country but genuine quality of life is yet to be achieved. The provinces where mining is present
are evidence to why mining cannot be called the way to development. Mining is not bad but it is

not good either. Absolute abolishment of mining is not needed but the strict control of mining

should be implemented. The minerals that are being extracted are non-renewable and cannot be

grown again. The damage done by mining operations leaves a mark for a long time. Thus,

beware to misleading and irresponsible mining here in the Philippines!