REPUNTE, GEORGETTE L.

MWF 11:30 – 12:30

MINING: PHILIPPINES’ GATEWAY TO THE WORLD

It can never be denied that Mining Industry is one of the biggest industries in the

world especially in the Philippines. Mining in the Philippines has long been widespread

since the mining boom in the 1970’s. The mineral wealth of our country is the cause of the

mining movement that is said to be a big help for the Philippines. Economic experts say

that mining is the answer to the country’s poverty and unemployment rate. In simple terms,

mining is a money-making business that benefits the companies, the workers and the

government.

According to a survey conducted by the Social Weather Systems (SWS) last March

2013, there are 11.1 million jobless Filipinos and according to Wallace (2013), it is

impossible to live without mines and it helps to create thousands of jobs. A report by the

Chamber of mining claims that a projected LSM $15 billion investment will lead to 70,000

direct jobs that will make 350,000 other jobs and can potentially rise to 2,050,000 jobs by

2018. In connection, recalculating those numbers, 576,000 jobs are more likely to be

produced. The economic importance of this industry has been underestimated by many,

but it has been proven that mining plays a crucial economic role to keep the economy

going and for a country to experience growth. This enhances residents’ quality of life,

supports local businesses and schools, and contributes tax revenue to local governments.

One benefit of Mining is that it provided livelihood to local communities thus this

generated income for the local government thereby directly contributing to its economy.

Mining in the Philippines undoubtedly helps the country with minerals and jobs. Not only

it allowed massive growth to the community but it also provided scholarships to children’s

education. Also mining activities promoted business enterprise in the mining regions. For
instance, they promote growth in rental houses to provide accommodation for miners.

Hence, mining raised and developed the living standards of the community.

According to Neal H. Cruz, a journalist of the Inquirer Opinion stated “With the drop

in the exchange rate of the US dollar and the euro, governments, banks and rich people

are buying gold like crazy, driving the price of the metal to almost $2,000 per ounce, the

highest so far and still rising. That is why people are talking about mining, the Philippines

being one of the world’s biggest producers of gold.” This brings us to the second benefit

of Mining which is it helped the Philippines improve its economy by providing jobs for the

unemployed and generate good income. Thus, contributing to the tax revenue to the

Philippine government, not only it will help our government and give us an edge in the

world-market but it will also help establish world-class mines, compete globally and yield

profit for Filipinos.

Last benefit that Mining gave our country is that mined substances are used to

build houses and make computers and satellites. Through this, technological

advancements will be possible. We cannot only produce our own gizmos but also we can

market it to the world. This benefit may take few more years to realize but it is not

impossible.

The contribution of the mining sector to the economic situation of a country is more

significant than most people think. This is the reason why mining is important to daily life,

because, without this sector, many industries will be crippled, especially the manufacturing

industry. The economic importance of this industry has been underestimated by many, but

it has been proven that mining plays a crucial economic role to keep the economy going

and for a country to experience growth. We just need to be more disciplined and

responsible.
REFERENCES:

1. http://avalaresources.com/economic-significance-of-

mining/https://opinion.inquirer.net/11411/the-good-side-of-the-mining-industry

2. https://kids.mongabay.com/lesson_plans/lisa_algee/mining.html

3. https://www.tmra.com/mining-benefits

4. https://brightkite.com/essay-on/mining-11

5. https://www.gold.org/who-we-are/our-members/gold-development/positive-

impacts-mining-case-studies

6. http://www.piplinks.org/system/files/Mining+in+the+Philippines+-

+Concerns+and+Conflicts.pdf

7. https://www.quora.com/Are-there-any-positive-impacts-of-mining-on-the-

environment

8. https://corporatewatch.org/the-matrix-of-the-philippine-mining-industry/

9. https://www.miningdecisions.com/interviews/positive-impact/

10. http://brylleee.blogspot.com/2016/10/what-are-advantages-and-disadvantage-

of.html

11. 2013 Philippine unemployment rate rises, above 11 million are jobless - SWS,

IBON. (2013). Retrieved August 20, 2013,

from http://www.thesummitexpress.com/2013/05/2013-philippine-unemployment-

rate-rises.html

12. ABS-CBN Foundation. (2011). Save Palawan Movement Part 4. Retrieved August

20, 2013, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m87BoZ3tN10

13. Dumlao, D & Alave, K. (2012). Manny Pangilinan: Mining is not the enemy, poverty

is. Retrieved August 20, 2013, from http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/155113/manny-

pangilinan-mining-is-not-the-enemy-poverty-is#ixzz2br8qRXFq
14. Poverty numbers unchanged, survey shows. (2013). Retrieved August 21, 2013,

from http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/459465/poverty-numbers-unchanged-survey-

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