What’s wrong in Compostela Valley?

People retrieving the affected miners down below.

There is something wrong with the local officials in Compostela Valley – they lack political will. There is something wrong with the people living within the mining premises – they fear to venture into another form or source of day-to-day living, much that they get addicted with the thought of gold.

Those who suffered and died in the tragic landslide in Pantukan, Compostela Valley are the same persons whom the present Government pledged to serve, protect, and look after. Their death is tormenting, yet it seems that no one cares. Their death is recurring, yet it seems that no serious action has ever been taken. Reports yesterday, January 5, 2012, cleared that around 25 people were dead while over a hundred are still missing in the area. Those injured ones were already brought to the nearest hospitals.

What’s wrong?

A damaged house located just over
the portal of the mining area.
.

On one hand, the blame primarily rests on the leaders in the province. It is fair to point out that they should impose their political will – that no one among the small scale miners should be allowed to live permanently within the mining area. They can do mining, but they should not reside in there 24/7.

The proposal for “small scale mining total ban” is not quite acceptable since these people need a living. But giving legal permits to the miners by the local offices in there is not the only means by which these people can earn meager amount. The challenge is on the provincial political leaders to provide another source of living like “cooperative livelihood assistance program” for instance. This kind of approach had long been proven effective in other local government units like Iligan City.

Air-pipe is being provided to the trapped miners
down below so they can breathe.

On the other hand, residents in the area must stop clinging for gold. The search for this precious object can give them 2 to 3 meals a day, but the process of generation is really risky. In like manner, the tragedy is a challenge to them that they should go to the mainstream and make another form of living, other than mining dangerously.