Philippine resources
and poverty:
Mining: Intensifying Poverty and a
Threat to Economic Growth
GE - FEL SISJPS
Avila | Fernandez | Lestino | Solis | Vega
MINING IN THE PHILS.
The Philippines ranks as 5th most mineral-rich country in
the world (Quintans, 2017).
Luzon & Mindanao - Most of the country's metallic
minerals are produced such as gold, iron ore, lead, zinc,
chromite, and copper.
Visayas - Source of nonmetallic materials such as
limestone, marble, asphalt (britannica.com)
Quintans, J. D. (2017, September 4). Mining industry in the Philippines. The Manila Times.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2017/09/04/supplements/mining-industry-philippines/348610
Philippines - Resources and Power. Encycloperdia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/Resources-and-power
HOW DOES MINING INFLUENCE
THE INTENSIFYING POVERTY?
ECONOMICAL PERSPECTIVE By: Brythchell Avila
HOW DOES THE PHILIPPINE ECONOMY BENEFIT
FROM THE MINING INDUSTRY?
- Provides Employment
- Yields foreign-exchange
- Accounts for a significant portion of
Philippines' GDP
- Mining firms invest in road infrastructure
(Philippine Statistics Authority)
Metal Mining (gold, copper, nickel,
iron)
Industrial Mining (gravel, rocks,
clays, limestones, quartz, sand)
Walser, G., (2005). Economic impact of world mining.
World Integrated Trade Solution. Philippine export partner share. Retrieved from
https://wits.worldbank.org/CountryProfile/en/Country/PHL/Year/LTST/TradeFlow/Export/Partner/by-
country/Product/25-
26_Minerals#:~:text=In%202019%2C%20the%20top%20partner,Hong%20Kong%2C%20China%20and%20India.
Ibon Foundation, (2017). Regions with the biggest mining activities among the poorest - IBON. Retrieved from
https://www.ibon.org/regions-with-biggest-mining-activities-among-the-poorest-ibon/
IBON FOUNDATION: "REGIONS WITH THE BIGGEST MINING
ACTIVITIES ARE AMONG THE POOREST
Taganito Mining corp (Surigao )
Poverty Statistics show that
Nickel Asia (Eastern Samar) regions hosting these
Sagittarius Mines (South Cotabato) mining activities are the poorest
Main problems of
Mining
Sustainability economic crisis POVERTY
Environmental
destruction
ibon Foundation. (2017). Regions with biggest mining activities among the poorest. Retrieved from
https://www.ibon.org/regions-with-biggest-mining-activities-among-the-poorest-ibon/
Political Perspective
R.A. 7942 "Mining Act of 1995"
The philippine state is responsible for promoting its exploration, development, initialization, and conservation through the efforts of both the gov't and private
sector and protecting the rights of the affected communities.
When mining continues to progress because of the actions of the politicians, poverty increases drastically. The Eastern Visayas (Which produces most
Magnetite sand mine, chromite, and nickel) posted the third-highest poverty incidence at 38.7%, Soccsksargen (Which produces most gold, copper, and
iron) at 37.3%, Bicol (which produces mostly gold, copper, guano, rock phosphate, marble, silver, lead and manganese)at 36.0%, and the Zamboanga
Peninsula (Which produces mostly quartz, pebbles, copper, zinc, lead, and coal). at 33.9 percent. (IBON Foundation, 2017)
Lopez - Closes around 26 mining companies (Rappler, 2020), closure of mining companies will affect the economy.
Rep. Mike Defensor Gina Lopez
Politician and CEO of PAX Libera Mining, Inc Former DENR Sec. and Advocate of anti-mining
IBON Foundation. (2017, February 23). Regions with biggest mining activities among the poorest–IBON. https://www.ibon.org/regions-with-
biggest-mining-activities-among-the-poorest-ibon/
Rivas, R. (2020, July 23).DENR to reopen mining firms closed by Gina Lopez. https://www.rappler.com/business/denr-to-reopen-mining-firms-
closed-by-gina-lopez/
AN ACT INSTITUTING A NEW SYSTEM OF MINERAL RESOURCES EXPLORATION, DEVELOPMENT, UTILIZATION, AND
CONSERVATION. R.A. No. 1942 (1995). https://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1995/ra_7942_1995.html
Mining activities happen in rural and mountain areas that can affect farms, rivers, and shores. That is where
the majority of the poor are located - farmers, indigenous people, and fishermen (Rappler, 2012).
A pro-mining in S'bangken Tribal Council, Nora Sukal, supports the 5.9B pesos mining project which will affect
5,000 people to relocate which will affect their sources of survival in exchange for the financial support for the
tribal clans(Sarmiento, 2022).
In 2011, there were cases in the Philippines where there are patterns of child labor in mining. 19,000 children at
work in 45 artisanal and small-scale gold mines in the Philippines. (ILO, 2019)
In 2019, DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu initiated the Manila Rehabilitation program which is famously the creation
of "Dolomite Beach". Most of the Dolomite sand came from Cebu, which was budgeted for 389 Million pesos in the
first phase while the second phase was 265 Million pesos.
Sarmiento, B.S. (2022, February 28). ‘I am pro-mining: Indigenous opposition to Philippine mine project falters. https://news.mongabay.com/2022/02/i-am
pro-mining-indigenous-opposition-to-philippine-mine-project-falters/
Monsod, C. (2012, March 4). Mining is a social justice issue. https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/2065-mining-is-a-social-justice-issue/
International Labour Organization. (2019, May 29). Child labour in mining, poor working conditions take centre stage in inter-regional meeting.
https://www.ilo.org/manila/public/pr/WCMS_706334/lang--en/index.htm
Anthropological Perspective
Impacts of Mining on the Environment and Indigenous
Peoples
Nothern Luzon
Cordillera Region - Igorots - Ibaloy and Kankanaey
Since corporate mining started, Benguet has hosted 14 mining companies.
The effects of both mines and dams during that period had serious
consequences, which resulted in three categories:
1. Land destruction, subsidence, and water loss
2. Pollution of Water and Soil
3. Dislocation of Indigenous People from Ancestral Land and Traditional
Livelihoods
Cordillera People’s Alliance. (2007). Case Study on the Impacts of Mining and Dams on
the Environment and Indigenous Peoples in Benguet, Cordillera, Philippines. Case Study
Conducted by the International Expert Group.
https://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/documents/workshop_IPPE_cpp.doc
Historical Perspective
Mining in the Philippines started in the pre-colonial period.
In a number of regions in the archipelago, indigenous communities
mined for gold, copper, and many other minerals.
Gold was the main reason why Spain colonized the Philippines
The Americans made strategic steps to exploit the minerals of the
Philippines.
Filipinos in many regions of the country were coerced into mining for
metals to be used for war weapons in Japanese imperialism.
Corporate Watch. (2018). The matrix of the Philippine mining industry.
Corporate Watch. https://corporatewatch.org/the-matrix-of-the-philippine-
mining-industry/
Historical Perspective
Today, 20 large-scale mining operations, 10 medium-scale, and more
than 2,000 non-metallic small-scale mining operations exist in the
Philippines. Yet, hundreds of mining applications are pending to prey on
what’s left of the country’s resources.
MINING LEADS TO WHICH RESULTS IN
exploitation of natural destruction of the
resources environment
loss of wildlife and livelihood
poverty
loss of lives
Corporate Watch. (2018). The matrix of the Philippine mining industry. Corporate
Watch. https://corporatewatch.org/the-matrix-of-the-philippine-mining-industry/
Anthropological Perspective
Impacts of Mining on the Environment and Indigenous
Peoples
Mindanao - B'laan Tribes
The Bilaan or B'laan are a tribal community of Southern Mindanao
Tampakan Mining Project - which threatened their ancestral lands.
This affected the B'laan's cultural identity and traditions for their way of
life.
2010 - 10 B'laan community members were killed, including women and
children.
B’laan indigenous people under threat. (2014, May 22). Solidar Foundation. Retrieved
May 24, 2022, from https://www.solidar.org/en/news/blaan-indigenous-people-under-
threat
Anthropological Perspective
According to IBON, large-scale mining activities impact
heavily on marginalized sectors and intensify poverty. The
group also said that the mining sector’s export-oriented
character further deprives communities of taking away
potential resources for local development.
May it be from small-scale mining or large-scale mining,
the impact of mining led by both foreign and Filipino
companies has affected those in poverty, but most
especially, the indigenous communities in the Philippines.
Regions with biggest mining activities among the poorest–IBON. (2017, February 23). IBON.
Retrieved April 26, 2022, from https://www.ibon.org/regions-with-biggest-mining-activities-
among-the-poorest-ibon/
Behavioral Perspective
Child labour is presented in different mining stages. Evidence from various ILO surveys
and research studies show that mining is by far the most hazardous sector for children
with respect to fatal injuries.
As stated in the article, in the year of 2011 it was revealed that 19,000 children work in
45 artisanal and small-scale gold mines in the Philippines. Children can be found inside
mining tunnels or on the surface collecting gold and hauling sacks of ore for smelting
gold.
International Labour Organization. (2019, May 29). Child labour in mining, poor working conditions take
centre stage in inter-regional meeting. https://www.ilo.org/manila/public/pr/WCMS_706334/lang--
en/index.html
Skeffington, J., & Rea, J. (2017). How poverty affects people’s decision-making processes. The London School
of Economics and Political Science. https://www.lse.ac.uk/business/consulting/assets/documents/how-
poverty-affects-peoples-decision-making-processes.pdf
Behavioral Perspective
How does Mining Poverty affects to the Behavior of the Person?
a link between socioeconomic status and self-regulation, or the inclination to act in
accordance with long-term goals in the face of more immediate benefits. The fact that
persons in poverty tend to prioritize present rewards might lead to actions that are
harmful in the long run. It also appears to be increased by the anxiety created by
thinking about social comparison and the humiliation associated with social status
(Skeffington & Rea, 2017).
Skeffington, J., & Rea, J. (2017). How poverty affects people’s decision-making processes. The London School
of Economics and Political Science. https://www.lse.ac.uk/business/consulting/assets/documents/how-
poverty-affects-peoples-decision-making-processes.pdf
Behavioral Perspective
Unmasking: Maslow's Theory (The Hierarchy of Needs)
McLeod, S. (2007). Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Simply Psychology.
https://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html
STRUCTURAL
FUNCTIONALISM
Systemic Analysis:
MARINE RESOURCES IN THE PHILS.
Philippines is economically diverse such as coral reefs,
mangroves, estuarine areas, beaches, and a variety of
fisheries.
Fishing is an important source of livelihood for Filipinos
(psa, 2016.)
White, A.T. and A. Cruz-Trinidad. 1998. The values of Philippine coastal resources: Why protection and management are critical. Coastal Resource Management
Project, Cebu City, Philippines, 96 p
https://psa.gov.ph/content/fishery-resources
HOW DOES MARINE
RESOURCES AFFECT
POVERTY?
Political Perspective
R.A. 10654 "The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998"
IT seeks to "prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated” or IUU fishing in the country.
Heavy exploitation of the country's fishing grounds, IUU fishing's deadly impacts on climate, and disasters of lives, livelihood, and properties
of fisherfolk attributed to the decline in production resulting from the decrease in income. Around 1,770,111 million fisherfolk in the
country around 690,343 are below the poverty threshold. (Greenpeace Philippines, 2017). Failure to improve fishing technologies and
techniques, weak state support and related infrastructure, and the absence of a strong domestic fishing lobby are among the factors of the
development of fishery (Manila Times, 2021).
China keeps on building artificial islands in the West Philippine Sea which violates the Hague tribunal ruling from the diplomatic perspective and
affects any marine ecosystems (CNN Philippines, 2021)
The Dolomite beach didn't address the rehabilitation phases, it is an endanger the biodiversity in the Manila bay (IESM, 2020).
Greenpeace Philippines. (2017, April 11). War on poverty and illegal fishing must continue.
https://www.greenpeace.org/philippines/story/1472/war-on-poverty-and-illegal-fishing-must-continue/
Manila Times. (2021, May 23). Fishing for a fight or better economic well-being?.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/05/23/opinion/columns/fishing-for-a-fight-or-better-economic-well-being/1800305
AN ACT TO PREVENT, DETER AND ELIMINATE ILLEGAL, UNREPORTED AND UNREGULATED FISHING, AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8550, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "THE
PHILIPPINE FISHERIES CODE OF 1998," AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. RA. 10654. https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2015/ra_10654_2015.html
ECONOMIC
PERSPECTIVE By: Brythchell Avila
Fishing - one of the most important source of livelihood
for Filipinos
80.39%
- Sources of energy
- Utilization off Algae
- Employment Opportunities
Marine resources and Poverty
Philippines has about 1.7 million fisherfolks
The Department of Agriculture only allocates
7% from the total budget to the marine sector
Poverty incidence in
43.2%
coastal towns
Fishermen earn minimum wage
Marine resources are heavily exploited
Historical Perspective
‘Fisheries have a well-established history in Calamianes, Philippines.
the Calamianes and Palawan were the primary sites of the now notorious
muro-ami fishing vessels.
What is the connection between marine resources and poverty?
Many parts of the world are caught in a vicious downwards spiral: poor
people are forced to overuse environmental resources to survive from day to
day, and the impoverishment of their environment further impoverishes
them, making their survival even more difficult and uncertain’
- World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED)
Fabinyi, M. (2009.). Fishing for fairness - OAPEN. https://library.oapen.org/bitstream
/id/fdf6db89-44a7-4ed3-8faa-a5fb953f2812/459237.pdf
Historical Perspective
REASONS FOR DECLINE IN MARINE RESOURCES
Marine resources are heavily exploited
POVERTY
Lower fish catch/ Lower quality fish
Larger boats and illegal fishing dominating the waters
Increasing level of workers, more fuel for longer trips, low
quality fishing supplies. Fewer opportunities.
Anthropological Perspective
Why are marine resources important?
- help protect important habitats
- representative samples of marine life
- assist in restoring the productivity of the
oceans
- avoid further degradation
They are also sites for scientific study and can References:
generate income through tourism and Plagerson, S. (2020, July 1). Marine
biodiversity and poverty alleviation. Open
sustainable fishing. Docs. Retrieved May 11, 2022, from
https://opendocs.ids.ac.uk/opendocs/bitstr
eam/handle/20.500.12413/15558/843_Marin
e_biodiversity_and_poverty.pdf?
sequence=1&isAllowed=y
Anthropological Perspective
Palawan - Molbog Tribe in Balabac island group
The Molbog (also called Melebuganon) migrated
from North Borneo
Muslim Cultural Minorities - Prohibiting them from
fishing.
The Palawan NGO Network (2008) the Molbog tribe References:
The Palawan NGO Network, Inc. (2008, December 3). THE INDIGENOUS
have faced harassment and ill-treatment from pearl PEOPLES AND SMALL FISHERS OF SOUTHERN PALAWAN: A CASE OF
LOCAL COMMUNITIES’ EXCLUSION FROM THE MANAGEMENT AND
farm enterprise. UTILIZATION OF MUNICIPAL FISHERIES AND AQUATIC RESOURCES. The
Access Initiative. Retrieved May 24, 2022, from
https://accessinitiative.org/resources/indigenous-peoples-and-small-
fishers-southern-palawan-case-local-communities%E2%80%99-
exclusion
Behavioral Perspective
The Fishermen's rate was
41.2%, which was the
highest in poverty
incidence.
https://psa.gov.ph/content/farmers-fishermen-and-children-consistently-posted-highest-poverty-incidence-
among-basic
Behavioral Perspective
Unmasking: Maslow's Theory (The Hierarchy of Needs)
McLeod, S. (2007). Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Simply Psychology.
https://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html
Behavioral Perspective
Critical Analysis on both Problems with regards to Behavioral
Perspective
Poverty is one of the biggest problems in the world and in our country. Yet, many
individuals are suffering. In connection with this, having different ways and
techniques can help in guiding the people on what are the adequate actions to do.
Moreover, focusing on the present needs can help the person in fulfilling their
basic necessities. Notably in Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, as he stated, the wants
must be partially met, which means that a human can pursue all five needs at the
same time, at least to some level.
Vinney, C. (2018). Understanding Maslow’s Theory of Self-Actualization. ThoughtCo.
https://www.thoughtco.com/maslow-theory-self-actualization-4169662
References
Azanza, R. (2017). Valuing and Managing the Philippines’ Marine Resources toward a Prosperous Ocean-Based Blue
Economy. Ateneo de Manila University. Retrieved May 11, 2022, from https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/335032399.pdf
Plagerson, S. (2020, July 1). Marine biodiversity and poverty alleviation. Open Docs. Retrieved May 11, 2022, from
https://opendocs.ids.ac.uk/opendocs/bitstream/handle/20.500.12413/15558/843_Marine_biodiversity_and_poverty.pdf?
sequence=1&isAllowed=y
Bersales, L. (2017). Farmers, Fishermen and Children consistently posted the highest poverty incidence among basic
sectors. Philippine Statistics Authority. https://psa.gov.ph/content/farmers-fishermen-and-children-consistently-posted-
highest-poverty-incidence-among-basic
Corporate Watch. (2018, November 1). The matrix of the Philippine mining industry. Corporate Watch.
https://corporatewatch.org/the-matrix-of-the-philippine-mining-industry/
Fabinyi, M. (2009.). Fishing for fairness - OAPEN. https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/id/fdf6db89-44a7-4ed3-8faa-
a5fb953f2812/459237.pdf
Santa Maria, I. R. (2017, July 20). A complicated question: Why is the philippines poor? BORGEN. Retrieved from
https://www.borgenmagazine.com/why-is-the-philippines-poor/
References
TWalser, G., (2005). Economic impact of world mining. World Integrated Trade Solution. Philippine export partner share. Retrieved from
https://wits.worldbank.org/CountryProfile/en/Country/PHL/Year/LTST/TradeFlow/Export/Partner/by-country/Product/25-
26_Minerals#:~:text=In%202019%2C%20the%20top%20partner,Hong%20Kong%2C%20China%20and%20India.
Ibon Foundation, (2017). Regions with the biggest mining activities among the poorest - IBON. Retrieved from
https://www.ibon.org/regions-with-biggest-mining-activities-among-the-poorest-ibon/
Quintans, J. D. (2017, September 4). Mining industry in the Philippines. The Manila Times.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2017/09/04/supplements/mining-industry-philippines/348610
Philippines - Resources and Power. Encycloperdia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/Resources-and-power
Rivas, R. (2020, July 23).DENR to reopen mining firms closed by Gina Lopez. https://www.rappler.com/business/denr-to-reopen-mining-
firms-closed-by-gina-lopez/
AN ACT INSTITUTING A NEW SYSTEM OF MINERAL RESOURCES EXPLORATION, DEVELOPMENT, UTILIZATION, AND
CONSERVATION. R.A. No. 1942 (1995). https://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1995/ra_7942_1995.html
Walser, G., (2005). Economic impact of world mining.
World Integrated Trade Solution. Philippine export partner share. Retrieved from
https://wits.worldbank.org/CountryProfile/en/Country/PHL/Year/LTST/TradeFlow/Export/Partner/by-country/Product/25-
26_Minerals#:~:text=In%202019%2C%20the%20top%20partner,Hong%20Kong%2C%20China%20and%20India.
Ibon Foundation, (2017). Regions with the biggest mining activities among the poorest - IBON. Retrieved from
https://www.ibon.org/regions-with-biggest-mining-activities-among-the-poorest-ibon/
Skeffington, J., & Rea, J. (2017). How poverty affects people’s decision-making processes. The London School of Economics and
Political Science. https://www.lse.ac.uk/business/consulting/assets/documents/how-poverty-affects-peoples-decision-making-
processes.pdf
