Palawan folk support responsible mining

ESPANOLA, Palawan — Poor communities here are urging the municipal government to consider the operation of responsible mining in a site rich in high-grade chromite to help generate jobs and revenues and improve the lives of the people.

Paquito Villagonzalo, 50, Boyet Cabitac, 38, and Gerardo Ano, 48, all from Upper Lapu-Lapu here, appealed to the provincial government to look into their sorry state and address their extreme poverty.

"Nasa kagipitan po kami ngayon (We are in a crisis now)," said Villagonzalo, a father of six children.

He urged the government to allow only reliable and trustworthy mining operators, saying that mining would not only generate jobs, but also bolster trade and commerce in the site and in nearby communities.

The local folk, including rice farmers, said they welcome responsible mining, vowing to help the government oversee and monitor the mining operation to prevent environmental degradation.

Villagonzalo, a former personal bodyguard of a former congressman for six years, believes that mining, if done properly, is a pro-poor program.

Residents said Espanola has a vast wealth of mineral resources being put into waste.