As we all know, the Philippines is an archipelago, having 7, 107 islands surrounded by sea. Who would say that we’re having environmental crisis? In 7, 107 islands, tourists, even Filipinos, love to come and to explore our beloved land. The Philippines is rich in land forms like mountains, volcanoes, and plains. Moreover, we are also rich in water forms like beaches, lakes, and rivers. The terrain also has deviant coastline; it has blessed with rocky coves, white beaches, green forests, and towering mountains. That’s why mining industry is now growing in number in our country.
In addition to that fact stated above, economic growth of the Philippines has also incrementally growing. Mining industry boosts up revenues, hence, it can reduce country’s budget deficit (Bataclan, 2008). It also promotes social and cultural development as exports and foreign exchange increase. Mining industry will also help the government to reduce poverty because there will be jobs provided and unemployment will be prevented.As of 2005, mining industry statistics has been increasing; mining goods production has a total of $1 billion; on the total experts of minerals has reached up to $820 million and employment in mining has accumulated up to 123,000 people approximately. Given by these evidences, the mining industry has really contributed to our country (Bataclan, 2008).
On the other hand, there will be a threat to our environment. Moving pieces of earth, clearing of forests, and digging of underground tunnel will cause the ground to collapse. In addition to that, the Philippines is a tropical country; so having mountains and trees, catastrophe will hit the Philippines. Softening of grounds will cause soil erosion; then, flashflood will follow. Trees will absorb it supposedly; however, trees were cleared.
Meanwhile, after mining, usually companies will just abandon the site, thus leaving the land intoxicated. There are heavy metals or elements that remain in the site resulting in spoilage of minerals of soil. Agricultural crops will automatically contain toxics. If it is consumed, it will cause harm and death to the living organisms like herbivore animals and humans (Dr. Regis, 2011). In July 1999, a Mankayan villager named Pablo Gomez tragically died when he was carried away by a landslide. There was also an incident in 1962 that drainage tunnel was put in between Kelly Mine in Gumatdang and the mine in Antamok (Cordillera People Alliance, 2007). It did not just drain water from the mines, but the tunnel drained the water from a major irrigation sources drying up rice fields (Cordillera People Alliance, 2007).
Although mining will contribute greatly in our economy, it will also give consequences. Remember, we are rich in land and water forms; so we have to maintain these gifts from God and Mother Earth. There is also a Sustainable Development that “meets the need of the present without compromising the ability of future development to meet their needs (Brundland report, 1987).” This mining will give us misfortunes; especially to the next generations. If this environmental crisis continues, there will be a possibility that our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren will experience the world without water, without oxygen and without food. It is better to take care of our land. Provided by resources of our country, it is not just mining industry that could lift us up to economic crisis. If we could just sustain and enrich agriculture and ecotourism in our country, mining would not be a threat to our environment.
In addition to that fact stated above, economic growth of the Philippines has also incrementally growing. Mining industry boosts up revenues, hence, it can reduce country’s budget deficit (Bataclan, 2008). It also promotes social and cultural development as exports and foreign exchange increase. Mining industry will also help the government to reduce poverty because there will be jobs provided and unemployment will be prevented.As of 2005, mining industry statistics has been increasing; mining goods production has a total of $1 billion; on the total experts of minerals has reached up to $820 million and employment in mining has accumulated up to 123,000 people approximately. Given by these evidences, the mining industry has really contributed to our country (Bataclan, 2008).
On the other hand, there will be a threat to our environment. Moving pieces of earth, clearing of forests, and digging of underground tunnel will cause the ground to collapse. In addition to that, the Philippines is a tropical country; so having mountains and trees, catastrophe will hit the Philippines. Softening of grounds will cause soil erosion; then, flashflood will follow. Trees will absorb it supposedly; however, trees were cleared.
Meanwhile, after mining, usually companies will just abandon the site, thus leaving the land intoxicated. There are heavy metals or elements that remain in the site resulting in spoilage of minerals of soil. Agricultural crops will automatically contain toxics. If it is consumed, it will cause harm and death to the living organisms like herbivore animals and humans (Dr. Regis, 2011). In July 1999, a Mankayan villager named Pablo Gomez tragically died when he was carried away by a landslide. There was also an incident in 1962 that drainage tunnel was put in between Kelly Mine in Gumatdang and the mine in Antamok (Cordillera People Alliance, 2007). It did not just drain water from the mines, but the tunnel drained the water from a major irrigation sources drying up rice fields (Cordillera People Alliance, 2007).
Although mining will contribute greatly in our economy, it will also give consequences. Remember, we are rich in land and water forms; so we have to maintain these gifts from God and Mother Earth. There is also a Sustainable Development that “meets the need of the present without compromising the ability of future development to meet their needs (Brundland report, 1987).” This mining will give us misfortunes; especially to the next generations. If this environmental crisis continues, there will be a possibility that our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren will experience the world without water, without oxygen and without food. It is better to take care of our land. Provided by resources of our country, it is not just mining industry that could lift us up to economic crisis. If we could just sustain and enrich agriculture and ecotourism in our country, mining would not be a threat to our environment.
Sources:
• “What is Sustainable Development?” Retrieved December 2, 2011 from http://www.iisd.org/sd/
• Cordillera People Alliance, “Case Study on the Impacts of Mining and Dams on the Environment and Indigenous Peoples in Benguet, Cordillera, Philippines” (2007) Retrieved November 29, 2011 from http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/documents/workshop_IPPE_cpp.doc
• Dr. Regis, Emilina, “Mining in Palawan and its Impacts to Biodiversity and Local Communities”(2011) Retrieved December 2, 2011 from http://www.alyansatigilmina.net/content/story/july2011/mining-palawan-and-its-impacts-biodiversity-and-local-communities
• Bataclan, Victoria S., “Mining in the Philippines” (2008) Retrieved November 29, 2011 from http://www.intexresources.com/_upl/investor_presentation_vika_atrium_260308_by_the_philippine_embassy.pdf
• “What is Sustainable Development?” Retrieved December 2, 2011 from http://www.iisd.org/sd/
• Cordillera People Alliance, “Case Study on the Impacts of Mining and Dams on the Environment and Indigenous Peoples in Benguet, Cordillera, Philippines” (2007) Retrieved November 29, 2011 from http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/documents/workshop_IPPE_cpp.doc
• Dr. Regis, Emilina, “Mining in Palawan and its Impacts to Biodiversity and Local Communities”(2011) Retrieved December 2, 2011 from http://www.alyansatigilmina.net/content/story/july2011/mining-palawan-and-its-impacts-biodiversity-and-local-communities
• Bataclan, Victoria S., “Mining in the Philippines” (2008) Retrieved November 29, 2011 from http://www.intexresources.com/_upl/investor_presentation_vika_atrium_260308_by_the_philippine_embassy.pdf
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