Sarangani needs Tampakan mining project - DOLE exec

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) head for Sarangani province and General Santos City Patricio Blanza said yesterday that they need the proposed Tampakan mining project to address unemployment and help fight poverty in Region 12.

“The Tampakan mining project will be a big help in generating more employment opportunities and people need income to help themselves, “ Blanza said, adding that the DOLE would make sure the Tampakan project prioritizes local employment.

According to Blanza the DOE is now preparing the local community through a skills development program.

“The Aquino administration identified unemployment as a pillar to offset poverty and we have been mandated to solve unemployment”, Blanza said.

“We all should know that employment will be the key to solve poverty in the region,” Blanza said.

According to the 2011 1st quarter report released by the regional office of the National Statistical Coordination Board, provinces in Region 12 posted very high poverty incidence levels with Sarangani at 40.7 percent, Sultan Kudarat at 35.2 percent, and South Cotabato at 23.6 percent.

The report also showed that South Cotabato has the most number of poor families with a total of 78,304, comprising 34.8 percent of the total poor families in Region 12.

According to Blanza, “when investors come in, employment opportunities follow.”

Blanza said he is hoping that the issues surrounding the Tampakan project are resolved soon to pave the way for its operation.

“It will be good for the labor sector”, he said.

“The environment department must assess and ensure that all environmental measures and safety regulations are in place to make the Tampakan project work” Blanza said.