Responsible mining: Preventing rural migration

Three years ago (October, 2008), we hosted the second Global Forum on Migration and Development held in Manila. Said forum elicited a lot of attention from various sectors around the world. As there is too much democratic space in this country, cause-oriented groups and communists’ legal fronts were then trying to make a show, as usual. Trying to get media mileage for fund raising purposes, they attempted to nag riot policemen hoping that the latter shall use force in driving them out. They wished it would result to a bloody mess in order to gather heaps of gory photos to maximize financial rewards from their global financiers. Unfortunately for them, however, the dreamed finale didn’t turn out as scripted. 

Attended then by no less than UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, this bunch of self-proclaimed liberators of the “oppressed dollar-earners” have called the forum a useless summit of “modern-day slavery.” Whatever their perceptions were, let’s leave it as- plainly theirs. However, to the misinformed men and women who are totally devoid of ideological biases, a clearer picture is necessary for better judgment. Whether it is bad or good for their families in particular and the country in general, it is for them to discern. Whether they are forced to it or are simply exercising their rights to live better lives, these are decisions they have to freely make.

Presently, Asians rank highest in terms of the most number of migrants. They are either in another Asian country or in the other continents. Apart from the records that will surely show the numbers, our neighborhood alone will reveal the score. Notably, China and India had the most numbers. Chinese migrants started traveling thousands of years ago. While it is true that they left mainland China illiterate and poorly educated, today, they are among the highly educated and most dominant business leaders in the majority of East Asian countries. In fact, in the country, most businesses are controlled by this race. The Gokongweis, Cojuangcos, Gotianuns, Uytengsus, Gatchalians, Sys, Tans, Tys and countless Chinese sounding family names are bywords in the country’s businesses and have held influences all over the world.

Indians are everywhere too. Recently, they are even buying companies in the USA. In the Philippines, most of them are in the accessories and lending businesses. Today, it is estimated that there are 25 million Indian migrants scattered all over the world.   Mexico ranked third. Though not visible in our country, most of Mexican migrants simply crossed the border and settled in the USA either legally or illegally. 

With between about ten (10) million Filipinos abroad, the Philippines now rank fourth.   Majority, however, are in the USA and are mostly health professionals. The Middle Eastern countries and other continents likewise have played hosts to some health professionals, IT experts, construction engineers and workers as well as caregivers. 

We, in our own little way, have seen migration for years now. Even before the Middle Eastern countries started to explore their oil reserves and have attracted thousands of Filipinos, migration was already considered the most preferred option amongst us. Today, it is even becoming more popular. We called it rural exodus or rural flight.

Rural exodus or rural flight is in fact more prevalent now than before. Rural exodus or rural flight refers to migratory patterns that normally happen in a depressed region or province. Due to limited opportunities, there tends to be a movement of people from the rural areas to the urban areas. The search for better lives has always been their common denominator. 

In both instances, the advent of modern technology has been the biggest contributor to this phenomenon. News or reports about progressive countries or cities and the better lives of their inhabitants (true or not) can be heard or seen right in their or their neighbors’ living rooms. Naturally, the dream to try their luck mounts. 

Also, the advancement of communication technology made it easy for these hopefuls to make decisions. Though they have to leave their families for the time being, the portability of their best communication equipment made them more comfortable even if they are far away. They are fully aware that knowing their families’ well-being is just a call away.

However, despite these conveniences, most rural folks will definitely stay where they are if opportunities to earn are present and reachable. When all the necessities like food, shelter, clothing as well as health and school facilities are available they shall surely stay put. 

True enough, in most natural-resources-abundant far-flung regions and provinces, the opportunities are crystal clear. Apart from the not-so-manpower oriented tourism related industry which normally thrives along beaches and shorelines, some areas that are figuratively and literally remote are richly endowed with mineral resources. Contrary to the claims of some cause-oriented groups, the government and the mining industry have until today continued to provide opportunities in the countryside.

Truth to tell, there are perceived and real downsides in mining. Mostly, these are perpetrated by irresponsible mining companies that never cared about the environment. Undeniably, however, responsible miners did not just help mitigate damaging consequences of mining but have continually poured billions of investments in the countryside. These investments not only provided employment in these areas but helped build healthy communities as well.

Unfortunately, however, despite the contributions these responsible mining companies made, some ideologues have continued to fret. Worst, while their legal fronts (cause-oriented groups) are trying to mount their opposition to the continuing migration, their military arm (the New People’s Army or NPA) have relentlessly terrorized the mining companies. Lately, in fact, NPA attacked three mining firms in Claver, Surigao del Norte province. As a result, not only that the mining companies lost billions in properties, thousands of workers were rendered jobless and therefore penniless as well. If not rehabilitated on time, some of these miners may just have to join the long queues of economic migrants leaving the country. Or worst, may just have to find their luck in the urban areas. More likely, they shall squeeze themselves through a phalanx of shanties along river banks and creeks adding to a growing population of informal settlers.

Indeed, economic migrants (my preferred term for OFWs) are growing in huge numbers everyday. Whether they are compelled to do it for lack of choices as claimed by the cause-oriented groups remain vague. Certainly, however, they are leaving this country for their families’ future. They had to do it to provide their children the best education available. To some, they did it to give their families a kind of economic well-being that they perceived better than that of their neighbors. Or, in some instances, is brought about by that burning desire to outsize and dwarf an unfriendly neighbor’s mansion.

There could be thousands of reasons why they had to leave this country to earn somewhere else. Likewise, there could be millions of reasons why some poor farmers in the hinterlands had to try their luck in highly urbanized cities like Manila or Cebu. However, if we are able to provide opportunities in places (like the mining sites) where they are right now, they will certainly make it their preferred choice. 

For your comments and suggestions, please email to [email protected]. - THE FREEMAN