Last December 8, 2011, a press release from the senate of the Philippines had been posted in their website telling the threatening situation of mining in the Philippines to our food resources.
In Thursday’s hearing at the Senate, Senator Pangilinan came to his conclusion that the mining industry if unregulated poses a serious threat to the country’s food supply.
But how it may damage our food resources? With mining toxic substances such as mercury, lead, and cyanide are used to extract golds from the land. The mercury used could potentially get into the bloodstream of smaller animals like fishes in the ocean and other land animals. Since people are at the top of the food chain, it can eventually get into our bloodstream as well. Imagine if the mercury and cyanide were to accidentally spill. The damage done would be irreversible.
Marinduque Governor Carmencita Reyes stated during the hearing that the province's Kalangkang River no longer has aquatic life due to lead deposits from unregulated mining in the area. And I think there are other places in the Philippines that suffered loss in their livelihood and decreasing source of food due to the irresponsible mining in the Philippines.
In my opinion, it is clearly shown that there is really a need for the government to address these issues in mining. They must provide proper rules and laws about mining. Not only that, they must have a strict regulations in implementing those laws. What’s the use of various and several laws if not implemented well?
Food is a necessity for everyone. People needs food to survive and live in this world. So people must help one another to protect and save our sources of food.
As what stated in their press release, “We cannot sacrifice our food security for the sake of tapping the potential of an industry that obviously needs further evaluation based on data that we have received today. The end goal should be to benefit the entire nation, particularly in securing our food supply, and not benefitting just a few."
Food is a necessity for everyone. People needs food to survive and live in this world. So people must help one another to protect and save our sources of food.
As what stated in their press release, “We cannot sacrifice our food security for the sake of tapping the potential of an industry that obviously needs further evaluation based on data that we have received today. The end goal should be to benefit the entire nation, particularly in securing our food supply, and not benefitting just a few."
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Posted By: Nonalyn Pangantihon
Is there a big need in Mining? We could have our necessities in other way without abusing our natures.
TumugonBurahinThe government should not tolerate this activity in our natural resources. I agree that there should be rules and regulations in mining to lessen such activity. If there are rules, mining groups will be discourage to the act.
We have to protect our nature. We only have one earth to live. :)
-Ilonah Velasco
Laws are just Laws it is merely useless if the government will not implement it strictly. We need iron hand for those law to be an action.
TumugonBurahinAnd Mining industry in Philippines should have a standard guidelines that each company should strictly follow.