Mining sector must work harder to win over LGUs, IPs - Romualdez

MANILA, Philippines - The local mining industry must work harder to explain to local communities and indigenous people the benefits that mining brings to the national and local economies.

This is an enormous task that the Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (COMP) president Benjamin Philip Romualdez sees for the mining sector following the conclusion yesterday of the Mining Philippines 2010 Conference and Exhibit at the Manila Hotel.

Based on the presentations, Romualdez noted that a lot of projects are successfully proceeding despite some difficulties.

The metallic mineral production value for the first half of this year, which posted a growth of 51.3 percent, is proof of the success of existing operating mining firms, Romualdez pointed out.

Furthermore, the mix of investors which include American, British, Canadian, Australian, Chinese, Korea and Japanese “is a vote of confidence for our country,” he added.

However, Romualdez acknowledged the need for the mining sector to “work harder” to explain the benefits that mining brings to the national and local economies and to the local communities and indigenous peoples.

He said there are several good examples of social development projects that have been undertaken by such firms as Filminera Resources Corp. in its Masbate Gold project; Philex Mining, which gives P80 million annually to indigenous peoples in Benguet, and Sagitarrius Mines, Inc. which has already spent millions on its Tampakan project in Mindanao without even earning a profit yet.

Romualdez said the launch Wednesday of the COMP’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Guidebook, establishes guidelines for all local mining firms to provide benefits to their local communities and protect the environment.

He said the government must continue to support the industry in line with President Aquino’s call for public-private sector partnership in growth.