Fetalvero: ‘Cute-cute’ is over

PRESIDENT Noynoy recently declared in his State of the Nation Address (Sona), that in mining the natural resources of our country, we will benefit in millions. If that is so, how come 52 percent of Palawan’s population is petitioning against mining activities in the area?

From what I gathered in news reports, the community where mining is done does not stand to benefit. In fact the workers do not have incentives except for their meager wages. The mining firms do not even bother to dispose of their waste in accordance with what is provided by Philippine laws thus destroying our corals.

Bulletin, a magazine published in Central Africa reported that, “one of Africa’s biggest mining companies is committed to improving the welfare of the people in the community through its corporate social responsibility initiatives.” The company spends about K85 billion (in kwacha) per annum for the initiative.

Furthermore, the mining firm has constructed 1600 individual sanitation units to replace communal toilets at a cost of US$4.5 million.

It runs two certified hospitals in Zambia and has supported 14,000 people on HIV/Aids care. Its Indoor Residual Spray (IRS) protects 30,000 households from malaria.

According to the magazine report, the firm is improving road infrastructure at a cost of US$10.5 million.

The mining firm spends K1.2 billion in staff training and development annually to include major and minor sports development.

Our Philippine government should look into initiatives that would immediately translate to what is beneficial to the community where mining our natural resources is allowed. Unless PNoy sees to it that the welfare of the Filipino is given priority over corporate financial gains, Juan de la Cruz will continue to think that he is just another traditional politician charming the citizens of this country.

In colloquial language… "Pa cute-cute is over." Filipinos are getting impatient and would like to see drastic changes in the manner government affairs are managed.