Women’s group formed for responsible mining

WOMEN have come forward for mining.

Former secretary of Foreign Affairs and Special Envoy of the President for mining Delia Albert have formed Diwata, a non-government organization advocating responsible mining.

Albert said the organization is composed of women leaders in the industry who have decided to come together to form the organization.

In Philippine mythology, Diwatas (fairies) are nature spirits and live one with Mother Earth. They are benevolent and can be called upon ritually for positive crop growth, health, and fortune.

There are geologists, professionals and advocates comprising Diwata, all women of different age groups, backgrounds, and companies.

“The group of women coming from different parts of the country who had different backgrounds speaking different dialects, performing different jobs, of different weights and heights, coming from the lowlands, from the highlands, from rural areas from urban centers who were either married, widowed, separated, engaged or blissfully single. They are truly representatives of a cross-section of Filipino women,” Albert said.

She added, “They felt strongly that they could share with the larger community and through dialogue their scientific knowledge, practical experience and even wisdom on issues they knew pretty well. They believe that through constant learned exchange of ideas they could contribute their share in bringing an understanding and hopefully an appreciation of efforts to make our resources serve our people.”

In July, as their first project as well as their coming out to the public Diwata just finished an exhibit at the Ayala Museum featuring gold artefacts collected all over the Philippines which showed a vast collection of over 1,000 pieces.

There are over 50 members of Diwata and are now urging a dialogue on Executive Order 79, the mining policy recently signed by President Aquino.

The group wants to know the impact and effects the order has on women in mining project areas.