Benguet solon files bill reducing miners’ retirement age

By Joseph Zambrano

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Benguet Rep. Ronald Cosalan recently filed a House bill to reduce the retirement age of surface mine workers  from 60 to 50 years old.

 We are proposing some improvements of the Labor Code of the Philippines to cope up with  changing times and for the benefit of our miners, said Cosalan.

“Miners are exposed to all kinds of risk and they are in danger as a result of health hazards.”  

Once approved, miners will enjoy retirement benefits from the Social Security System (SSS), Cosalan said. “Whether underground or surface miners like mill, mechanical, electrical and tailings pond personnel, they will have the same privileges.”

The Philippines is rich in mineral deposits and fifth largest reserve of gold and copper in the world according to the  Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Benguet province  hosts  the biggest mining companies  in the country like Philex Mining Corporation, Lepanto Victoria Mine  and Benguet Corporation. – Joseph Zambrano