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Blowing up biz, jobs

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Published : Thursday, October 06, 2011 00:00
Article Views : 1,369


The Rock Star of Philippine industries really, really has no fighting chance to survive -- much less, thrive -- under such tough conditions.

Picture this: Tough mining laws. tough Church, tough local politicians, tough tribal and indigenous activists, tough environmentalists, and, worst, tough insurgents.

This is decidedly a grievous mix of obstacles any industry would avoid like the plague.

Still, mining companies are giving it a try in this country just the same on government assurances that an environment conducive to the growth and development of the industry is in place.

But how do we show appreciation to investors who put up industries that create jobs, pay taxes and royalties to the government, boost regional development, and raise living standards in remote communities?

We blow up their facilities, burn their equipment, and destroy their vehicles.    

The coordinated attacks on Monday by the New People’s Army on three mining firms in Surigao del Norte would not only imperil the already stalled peace talks between the government and the leftist rebels but would also spook foreign investors.

No less than  Malacanang said so: Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the attacks, the biggest so far undertaken by the NPA, “would undermine the peace process” and “it would be difficult to pursue negotiations”.

Lacierda said the government peace panel would “strongly raise” the attacks to the other panel.

Negotiators from the government and the National Democratic Front  are scheduled to resume formal talks -- postponed twice (in  late June and in mid-September this year) -- this month in Oslo, Norway.

Police said some 300 NPA guerrillas attacked the compound of the Taganito Mining Corp. in Claver town, briefly taking several employees hostage and burning trucks, excavators, and a guest house.

The mine is owned by Nickel Asia Corp., the country’s  largest nickel ore producer. An affiliate, Taganito HPAL Nickel Corp., and the nearby Platinum Metals Group were also attacked for alleged environmental damage and abuse by the firms.

While there was no casualty, total damage to equipment and facilities was estimated at P3 billion. Among those razed were a smelting plant, a guest house, 132 dump trucks, 22 backhoes, nine barges, two cranes, two bulldozers, a compactor, and a grader.

Surigao del Norte is home to 10 of the country’s 30 metallic mines.

The Philippines is the world’s fifth most mineralized country, with large reserves of minerals, including gold, copper, and nickel.

Last year, investments in mining reached $956 million. Environment Secretary Ramon Paje said last month that mining was forecast to grow 17 percent this year, with investments reaching $18 billion  by 2016.

But the Mines and Geosciences Bureau said that the attacks have now caused jitters in the industry and sent a message that investments might not be safe without tight security.

“Any assault on a mine is a serious thing. There are investments there. A mining project is capital-intensive. If you hear such news of an attack, it’s a cause for worry for the industry,” MGB Director Leo Jasareno was reported to have said.

In a statement, the Chamber of Mines said the insurgents “may not want to see the kind of development that large-scale responsible mining has to offer since they thrive on poverty as it swells their numbers.”



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