P142 million for Tuba villagers

HAPPY WEEKEND
Gina Dizon

One hundred forty two P142 million pesos is a big amount of money. It can buy you a lot of things from expensive designer clothes, to real estate, to opening businesses, to a tour around the world, to almost anything. This money was given by Philex Mining Corp. to the Indigenous Peoples Organization of Alang, Pukis, Sabian, Santa Fe, Oliba and Luacan to represent partial payment of the people’s royalty taxes.

Out of the 142 million, the amount of P82 million represents their royalty last year while P60 million is advance payment for the peoples' royalties this year. So what does P142 million mean to the residents of Alang, Pukis, Sabian, Santa Fe, Oliba and Luacan?

It means money for health services to families living within the mining inter-boundaries of Tuba and Itogon. It means college education to add to the elementary and high school education being provided by the mining company to the children staying in the villages.

It means cash capital for any livelihood venture which would prevent the people from resorting to usurers to borrow money at exorbitant interests to start a business. It means economic industries being developed in these basically farming communities. How much of agricultural or industrial improvement can be developed in these far flung places?

It means compensation of the residents for being host to the large mining company as the firm will continue to mine 98 hectares within the territorial jurisdiction of the six villages.

It means the people have become practical and wise to get what their territories’ worth means. Whether or not 1.25% of annual gross receipts is small or not, it remains to say that the people are not just watching a commercial firm get their gold and copper and get away with it.

While the environment al cost is another thing to consider though, the peoples’ pragmatic approach to getting something for something sets the difference when the firm was established in the earlier years in the 1950s and the people were recipients to elementary and high school education, less the cash royalties. It means Philex will continue its operations without being harassed by the people for issues of indigenous people’s rights such as free, prior and informed consent.

The agreement between IPO-APSSOL and Philex January last year says that the mining company shall operate for a period of 25 years. Under these circumstances, it appears on face value that both parties are happy and got what they want. The mining company will continue operations and the people will get their royalties.

Whatever happens tomorrow is not a thing to consider at the moment apparently, under the present circumstances where Philex is under bullish momentum to pursue operations, and the people are as equally agreeing to be paid with royalties.

Meantime, a reminder from the sinking community of Mankayan says that mining operations of the 70 year old Lepanto Mining Company have stretched its effects on nature and humans. This came after environmentalists claimed the company’s bulk mining operations has something to do with the sinking of Mankayan; and that residents are up for relocation.

The Mankayan scenario sets a reminder to residents of Tuba and Itogon to tell mining companies to stop when mining is already a threat to their (villagers) lives and that secured lives mean a lot better than having money.