Minding the Mining: PNoy to continue working with ‘gold-diggers’

President Aquino supports mining companies as he asked them on Wednesday to continue working with the government in order to a mining industry which is “sustainable, inclusive, and profitable.”

In his speech during the Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental (PMIE) Awards ceremony in Malacanang, Aquino emphasized the need for a more stable communication and cooperation of the public and private sectors to achieve the full potential of the country’s mining industry.

In the midst of too many environmental abuse reports and studies caused by the corporate mining in the Philippines (one of which is that mining is one of the main reasons of calamity casualties), human rights abuse and alleged ‘ethnocide’ to the lumads in Mindanao, and many more mining-related problems, the Palace still decides to support the mining industry. In fact, in contrast to all of the cons stated, the Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental (PMIE) Awards were held to honor exemplar mining companies for sustainable and environment-friendly services.

Why not? Most people know that the Philippines is one of the richest countries in terms of mineral resources. Specifically, the country is the fifth most rich in the world for gold, nickel, copper, and chromite—home to the largest copper-gold deposit in the world. Also, mining has created 211,000 jobs in 2011 alone, doubling the figures since 2006.

The only problem is that the government spends more time in talking beautifully in speeches than actually putting some actions. If only the government has the ability to secure proper connections and partnership with corporate mining corporations, then maybe there could be a controlled case of environmental and human rights abuse. In addition, we could benefit from our natural resources by utilizing it fully. In this scenario, both the country and corporations will grow.

But still, recognizing the good miners is a good step in this mining potential. This should be sustained until the government devise better projects according to this matter.

Backward.. Ever?!

(c)flickr.com

Sa kahabaan ng Ramon Magsaysay Blvd. sa Sta. Mesa, kapansin-pansin ang kulay kahel na mga pader at footbridges na sumisimbolo sa gobyerno ng Maynila. Lilinawin ko lang, hindi yung tulay, kundi yung kulay kahel yung sinasabi kong simbolo nila ha. Kapansin-pansin, lalo na’t pagod ka o nabuburyang sa biyahe, mapapasigla ka kapag nabasa mo ang islogan na nakasulat hindi lamang sa mga tulay o pader, kundi sa iba’t-ibang parte ng kapital—“Forward Ever, Backward Never.”

Astig! Mas astig siguro kung exclamation point yung punctuation mark sa dulo, parang “Forward Ever, Backward Never!” O diba? Ang lakas maka-action film! Bagay lang sa capital ng Pilipinas.

Kung natatawa ka, mas matatawa (o mas maiinis) ka kapag nalaman mong ang islogan na ito ay hindi originally made by the orange ones. Noong 1992, may isang kanta si Jacob Miller na may kaparehong title, bukod pa sa iba't-ibang lugar o grupo na gumamit na ng henyong islogan na ito through ages (thanks, Google).

Kung napansin mo rin ito, apir! Pero kung sa tingin mo ay isa ka nang tunay na Hokage sa pagiging Matanglawin, malamang e magkasundo rin tayo sa mga ito:

Bukod sa obvious namang katalinuhan at kabutihan ng ating mga pinuno sa pagpili ng theme color at islogan nila, kapansin-pansin din ang mga pa-pogi ay este poging-poging pagmumukha nila sa laaht ng sulok ng bansa. Nakakita na ba kayo ng drowing ng ari ng lalaki sa mga poste? Upuan ng bus? Banyo? Siguro naman, oo. Pero aminin mo, mas marami, at ‘di hamak naman na mas malalaki, ang mga poster at tarpaulin na may pagmumukha ng kung sinu-sinong pulitiko kesa sa mga 2D replica ng mga lightsabers na iyon! Edi sila na ang may pera pang-pagawa ng tarpaulin! Kahit na baka nga pera talaga iyon ng nanay at tatay niyo.

“Happy Fiesta!” Pero mas malaki pa ang mukha ni konsehal kesa sa mismong message.

Sa ganitong panahon katulad ng eleksiyon, mas nabibigyang pansin ng mga pulitiko ang mga mukha nila para sa popularidad kesa sa tunay na mukhang dapat ay bida sa bansa—ang mukha ng kahirapan.