Mining Matters: A brief understanding of mining industry in the Philippines.
When I took up mining engineering course, I have no idea what world i would be facing. I just continued what I have started. I just let myself endear the course, the people (my classmates and professors,) and the future that awaits me. However, amidst with my study are the growing concerns, problems, and issues regarding the effect of mining industry in the Philippine. It was drastic and uncertain. I was a witness to the jam packed fora I had attended with mining proponents debating with the environmentalists. As a student journalist and as a Filipino, I should probably care with everyone’s main query: why we have to say yes to mining?
The most intense campaign of no to mining in Palawan is the never ending debate mining issue. I could still remember way back in 2009. When there was a campaign drive in UseP. I even held the campaign paper yet I didn’t sign it. It was just my choice to be aware of the issue and was uncertain on which side I would be. Thus, on that very day, I started to amass information and evidences on what really rooted the argument.
In a news paper ad, the chamber of mines of the Philippines accused of the Save Palawan Movement of lying, saying that grade school students propped up the movement’s P3.5 Million collection of their signature campaign. It may sound absurd but it is really is. If we consider the over generalization of no to mining in other areas in the Philippines aside from Palawan, then that would be a distorted argument. We should consider that if it is done responsibly, mining is our country is a big ticket out from poverty. We cannot say no instantly to stop mining activities just because we believe that it is an environmental destroyer but rather let’s dig deeper on the real score. I’ll ask you: who among us don’t have cellphone? does anyone of us don’t use electricity? who among us wanted to use stones and marbles to construct a house? it is pretty to note that an average cellphone contains about 24 mg of gold, 250mg of silver, 3800mg of cobalt and 9mg of palladium. Even televisions or computers comprises several parts which originated from mining industry. From constructions to polishing houses with different equipment up to the electricity in our houses, all of which came from mining tools. Through mining our lives became easier, convenient and comfortable. It can even boost country’s economic growth up to 7-9% in a manner that mitigates impact on environment and had already improved the lives of the people.
With this, I believe that it is not the solution if we ban mining in our country. If we can only harness mining, we can produce hundreds of viable jobs, bring basic utilities like water and electricity and build more roads and houses. If we ban mining, illegal mining would exist. I would prefer mining but with strict parameters. Since the country and the people benefit from mining, there are four conditions to consider. First the country gets a 60:40 share of values from extracted minerals (60% for the Filipinos and 40% for the foreign investors.) ; second, the institutional capacity of the government must be put in place; third, the social and environmental costs are counted; and fourth the money for mining must be used to create another capital including infrastructure in the countryside.
I could say that mining industry is not perfect, which sometimes leads to the perception that it is dangerous and destructive. But the trust is, it brings more good than harm.
Love is in the air.
Every couple is excited when they hear the words “ Happy Valentine’s day.” This is the common greetings that we hear from our significant others when February 14 comes. Valentine’s day is celebrated around the word as it is the celebration of two lovers who committed themselves to be together and to give their love unconditionally. As a way of showing their love, cadies, flowers and gifts are exchanged between loved ones. But where did Valentine’s day originated from? It is believed that the celebration of Valentine’s day is the commemoration of St. Valentines who was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. But there is really no exact date as to when is the feast of St. Valentine. Some believed that it is in the middle of February and others believed that it is on the first week of the month. Whatever date it is the most important thing is that everyone is celebrating the heart’s day just to show their affection to their loved ones.
**How do we celebrate Valentines day?**
Well, we do have different ways and styles in celebrating valentines day as this event is not only for the new couples or newly weds but also for those partners who have been together for quite sometime already. May it be a married couple or just a common lovers who do not have label on their relationship, everyone is entitled to celebrate Valentines day in their own way.
When I go to the park or even in the malls I always see couples dating and holding their hands while walking. Everyone is expressing their love to their partner through words or through actions. I got amazed to see them and witness how passionate they are to each other.
Every time I see couples who are so sweet to each other I can also feel the love that they have to each other. Truly, this is the best time to celebrate heart’s day as all the people in the world are celebrating this moment with you.
When we celebrate this amazing day, we do not show our love only through material things but we also do this by means of hugging our love ones and saying I love you to them.
**What is the real essence of valentines day?**
We do hope that expression of love to our partner would not limit only on valentines day but also we should express this daily. We have make sure that our partners know our love language and we should know their love language as well. Valentine’s day is for every couple and lovers who are committed to serve each other and help each other to grow. We have to let them feel also that having them in our lives is on of the greatest gifts that we received from God. We should let our partners know that they are our strength whenever we feel weak and they are our hopes whenever we feel hopeless.
**It is really important to celebrate valentines day?**
Valentine’s day celebration does not only involved giving of gifts and material things to our partners but also it involves showing your love by an act of service. Their are so many ways on how you could make your partner happy. If you think that you don’t have enough money and resources to buy some fancy stuffs then giving a good massage to your partner would suffice already in letting them know that you love them and that you care for them. You can also go outside whether in the park or in the bay walk. You can just take a small walk and have a good conversation with your partner. And if you have somehow a little money to buy then you can order a food and do a picnic in the beach and spend time with your loved ones.
**Conclusion:** This has been our culture that every February 14 we always make time and effort to let our partner feel that we love them. We should use this moment to at least let them feel that they are special. That they deserve the love that we give to them as we deserve the love that we got from them as well. Happy Heart’s Day everyone!
Disclaimer: all photos and videos are taken from google.
