IT is a twisted irony that as the world celebrated Earth Day last April 22, a landslide set off by heavy rains occurred in a small-scale gold-mining community in Pantukan, Compostela Valley, destroying at least 20 houses at the foot of the mountain, burying at least 21 people alive, killing 8 miners, with 11 still missing. Following this, at least 110 houses were voluntarily demolished by their owners after local government authorities in the town ordered their evacuation after the tragedy struck.
It is said that the country celebrates Earth Day “to call attention to environmental issues affecting the planet and in solidarity with countries around the world,” but the environmental issue of mining seem to fall on deaf ears, resulting to environmental disasters that injure or kill miners.
Despite these harsh effects of mining on human lives and on the environment, mining activities persist in the country. Studies show that to produce a single gold ring, for example, a total of 20 tons of mine waste are generated. This waste go into the water, air and land, which has harmful effects on people, as abandoned mines have put communities at risk, compromising the residents’ health. Waste also affects marine life: the Rapu-Rapu mine accident in Albay back in 2005 resulted into a devastating fishkill, thereby resulting into a loss of livelihood for the residents and the Marcopper mining disaster in Marinduque back in 1996 left the Boac river biologically dead).
However, mining companies would argue that mining is a bare necessity as it gives us access to necessary minerals and material, which would enable us to build new technology. Mining companies also emphasize that the mining industry is a big contributor to a country’s economy as it generates a large portion of the money flowing into and out of the area it’s located in, and it is a source of numerous jobs. However, it is worth noting that three of the miner casualties in Compostela Valley were minors, ages 18, 17 and 15.
Groups would also contradict the statement that mining greatly benefits those who are in need of jobs. The Kalipunan ng mga Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas (KAMP or Alliance of Indigenous Peoples), however, believes that the industry has exploited indigenous people who come to work for mining companies in the hope that they would aid in helping them meet their financial needs. KAMP spokesperson Pia Malayao said that “mining has not benefited the indigenous communities the same way it has done nothing to help the country’s economy because all the profits are appropriated by the mining firms.”
Mining is a hot topic in politics, where some build platforms on the issue. In some instances, a politician’s stance on mining becomes a deciding factor in whether or not people vote for them.
There are a number of politicians who are forthright when it comes to their beliefs and efforts in environmental issues.
Senator Loren Legarda is known as an environmental crusader in the Senate. As a resolution to prevent what occurred in Pantukan, Compostela Valley to happen again, she has filed Resolution 444, asking the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources to conduct an inquiry into government regulatory policies in landslide and other natural hazard-prone mining areas.
Sen. Legarda proposes that “it must be ensured that landslide susceptibility and hazard maps are effectively used in regulating small-scale and large-scale mining activities to prevent the occurrence of environmental disasters.”
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has also been tasked to review mining policy in the country. Even the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines are getting into the action, strongly urging President Benigno Aquino III to issue a moratorium on all mining operations in the country.
Will any of these proposals and call for action come into fruition? That remains to be seen. Hopefully, a resolution is decided soon before another environmental disaster strikes.
(www.asianjournal.com)
(NYNJ April 29- May 3, 2011 Sec A pg.6)
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