An Effective and Efficient Response to the People’s Call.
A sustainable long-term recovery from this pandemic will require solidarity in responses coming from not only the government agencies, but also the private sector that has the strengths, resources, expertise, and capabilities to accelerate progress.
Figures from the recent Pulse Asia survey show that majority of Filipinos (85%) are of the view that the country’s recovery would entail a partnership between the national government and reputable private enterprises. Nine (9) out of every ten (10) Filipinos (90%) opine that private investors can help to create jobs in the country. Meanwhile, sizeable majorities say private investors can assist in expanding livelihood opportunities (68%) and alleviating poverty (62%).
Relating to this, and now that the COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized that our responses should be effective and efficient, there is a need to utilize the country’s low-hanging fruits – mineral resources.
The Philippine mining industry is an economic pillar that not only influences but also supports the survival of nearly every essential global-industry today. Mineral resources present in the Philippines are necessary for the manufacturing of digital/communications infrastructures, and hospital and healthcare technologies and equipment. Likewise, mining is a labor-intensive industry that has huge potential to generate employment, especially in remote areas with underdeveloped or limited potential for alternative economic activities. Not to mention, the multiplier effect it has (4 indirect for every direct employment, based on Mines and Geosciences Bureau data) through business-linkages created to support the mining activities. Besides infrastructural developments, large-scale mining companies also undertake the enhancement of their employees and local community members’ skills through a development program that would keep them competitive in the labor market.
However, Philippine Business for Environmental Stewardship underscores that achieving these and alleviating the negative consequences of the pandemic will require appropriate government support and policy implementations, and the mining industry’s full-scale adaptation of the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines’ Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) initiative.
Responsible and sustainable mining brings benefits through its undertakings of uplifting the lifestyle, reducing the poverty, and contributing to the socio-economic development of its host community. Collectively, and towards a national sense, this provides the means to achieve a sustainable, equitable inclusive growth.
Engr. Felix Jose M. Vitangcol
Secretary General
Philippine Business for Environmental Stewardship