BAGUIO CITY (PIA) -- Lady miners and other women workers in the mining companies are urging candidates for the upcoming May 2022 national and local elections to be pro-environment and for  empowering  women in the communities.
 
During the “Cordillera Minera: A Forum on Women and Responsible Mining,” women officials and representatives from the different mining companies in the province of Benguet stressed the need for candidates to be pro-environment and to promote responsible mining. Moreover, have good working relationship with the different regulating government agencies and mining companies.
 
“Dapat iyong kandidatong mananalo ay pro-environment. Hindi porke nasa position na sila ay sila pa iyung nangungunang sumira sa kalikasan,” Philex Mines Cooperative Manager Sandara Ramos said during the forum organized by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau – Cordillera  in celebration of  Women’s Month.  
 
Ramos said that there have been past political leaders who have caused destructions in some of the forests and this should not be repeated again by ensuring to vote for leaders who would protect the environment.

Itogon-Suyoc Resources Inc. Chief Electrical Engineer Abegail Pis-oy stressed the need for political leaders to support the different regulating agencies of the government for the protection of the environment, hand-in-hand with the mining companies and other stakeholders in the mining industry.

Women from the Lepanto Consolidate Mining Corporation and the Benguet Corporation want leaders to give priority to the livelihood and health of the women in their communities.

 Benguet Corporation Weavers Association President Elsie Wallang lamented that women in organizations and cooperatives in the different mining communities have been greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and aspiring leaders should also look into how they could provide support to the livelihood projects led by women in their respective communities.

Lepanto Community Leader Virginia Tamayo wants candidates to look into the welfare of women in the mining industry by providing livelihood opportunities while Lepanto Hospital Nutritionist Evangeline Espada hopes that officials give priority to the health and wellness of women and girls in the different mining companies.
 
For the part of the small scale mining industry, Loacan – Itogon Pocket Miners Association Secretary Virginia Fausto said that incoming officials should strictly implement laws and other regulations on the mining industry rather than providing temporary solutions and promises such as temporary permits and special orders.
 
Fausto noted that several officials are providing “band aid solution” to the bigger problem on small scale mining in the country. “Officials should be the ones helping the small scale mining groups to be legalized and operate in a better situation and standing that is allowed by law and granted with legal permits,” she said. (JDP/RMC- PIA CAR)