Self-destructing or testing of wills?

The NPA raid on mining sites in Surigao del Norte was reckless self-destruct. The rebels did not just destroy mining equipment. It was a show of force to stop the country from advancing the economy (lowest in the region) to be able to provide livelihoods for our hapless poor. The raid in Southern Mindanao was doubly tragic, because it was perpetrated while thousands in Northern Luzon were suffering from typhoon Pedring.

It is time we recognize the strategy of self-destruction. That is not shaped in isolation. It happens because of the negativism purveyed by those who do not want progress, except of their own. They have been misled into believing that destroying is the way to success. Unfortunately, they have the means and the muscle to mislead others using media, politics and the church.

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One misled legislator unwittingly revealed the “conspiracy” in an interview. Such a raid would not have been possible if there were no “resentment against mining” he said. Why? He answered “because it damages the environment.” He said that using a microphone in a television station – all using products of mining. He does not see the contradiction of being against mining while he uses the microphone or the television. He preaches against mining in the Philippines and leaves it to other countries to benefit from the industry. Is it a coincidence that the leader of the marauding rebels echoed the legislator and said “they did it because mining was damaging the environment.” Hmmph. (He did not add that they also demanded for revolutionary taxes).

A “conspiracy” of legislators, rebels and sectors of media promotes lawless behavior in the guise of caring for the environment. They would rather push the country to self-destruct than find a way to help the poor. How can we compete among countries in our region that are galloping to progress?

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But as the iconic Steve Jobs, who died this week would say  “never give up.” That’s the secret of Apple’s success and true of any difficult task.

Mining in the Philippines is difficult. But if it is the only big ticket industry that could lift the country from the effects of global recession (the worse is still to come) we have to make it work.

Fortunately, the miners are not fazed by armed threats. Louie Sarmiento, president of the Philippine Mining and Safety Association (PMSEA), calls the burning of the Surigao mines as “a blessing in disguise.” This will only make them double their efforts for responsible mining.

While the rebels were busy destroying a source of income for the government and the livelihoods of thousands in the mining sites, the PMSEA (I bet you have not heard of them from media) were in Hagonoy to install portable water purification equipment. There are some 200 mining companies that support their work on environment not only in mine sites but all over the country when it is needed and they are able to help. They see themselves not only as caring for the environment but making it work for the people.

“We coordinated with Bulacan Gov. Willy Alvarado and the Hagonoy Water District to purify the water so it can be safe for drinking,” said Annie Dee, PMSEA director told this column.

“Not only the companies but even individual mineros help in these efforts,” Sarmiento added.

The group with expertise gained from mining assisted in the search and rescue operations in landslide stricken areas. Few know that they assisted in the Baguio earthquake in the ’90s.

“We helped the DENR’s Adopt an Estero program. We adopted the Diliman Creek which passes through 33 barangays through a clean up drive, education and awareness campaign to prevent clogging and flooding.”

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We have one of the best mining laws in the world provided it is strictly implemented. At the same time that mining companies are held responsible not to damage the environment, the government should also encourage investments by adopting policies to make the country competitive in the region instead of succumbing to blackmail tactics like the raid in Surigao. The Philippines mineral industry is considered to be among the top five in the world but it has not served the country well because of ill-advised policies and a tortuous bureaucracy. And now include blackmailing raiders.

It is sad because just a few days ago the local authorities led by the South Cotabato governor in Tampakan held a successful dialogue among stakeholders and experts. It was in the right direction.

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Here’s a graphic report from a mining expert in the region.

“Adjacent to the Taganito mine site, a huge nickel processing plant is being constructed in a Special Economic Zone. At a cost of $1.4 billion, it represents to-date the single largest investment in our country’s mineral sector.

“There are over 7,000 workers involved in both the mine and construction of the plant. The area has become a beehive of activity that is benefiting not only the adjacent barangays but the Municipality of Claver as well.

“The insurgents thrive on poverty. It swells their ranks. It is this kind of massive development and the opportunities that this create for employment and social expenditures that reduce poverty, thereby reducing their ranks and making them irrelevant. It is also this kind of development that, if they had their way, can bring funds to their coffers, which they need to keep going. Sure, they will couch their demands using their usual pro-people and pro-environment propaganda.

“After all, they don’t want to make themselves look like a bunch of extortionists but let’s not be fooled. We all know what’s behind the attack, which have been fueled by the incessant anti-mining rhetoric from groups associated with the left and those that have been influenced by them.

“Ted Failon in his morning radio program has jumped on the anti-mining bandwagon, advocating no less that if logging has been stopped in our country, should we not also stop mining since trees have to first be cut? What an absurd notion! Mining is prohibited in primary forests, apart from many other areas such as declared watersheds, built-up areas, protected areas and so forth. You can’t cut down a primary forest to give way to mining. But I suppose he does not know that.”