QUEZON, PALAWAN– As the new year begins, an Indigenous People’s (IP) leader shares his New Year’s wish for his tribesmen and women. Bata Normili Dinge, 41, Municipal Chieftain of Tagbanua tribe in Palawan, says that his New Year’s wish for his tribe is the continuous operation of the mining industry in Palawan.
The IP chieftain emphasizes on the significance of the jobs that these companies provide them with. “Sigurado na kung wala sila, hindi aabot sa ganito kaayos ang kalagayan ng aming buhay, napakalaking pagbabago dahil mayroon kaming hanapbuhay,” Dinge said during an interview. The leader has been working for Berong Nickel Corporation in Barangay Berong, Quezon, Palawan for over a decade and is one of the many tribesmen and women who found jobs working in the mining industry.
At present, the mining sector has provided more than 215,000 jobs in different areas of operations in the country. Majority of Berong’s community members are employed by DMCI Mining Corporation. “Dati po kasi ang pangkabuhayan namin sa tribo ay nanggagaling sa pagbebenta ng rattan saka pangingisda. Halos wala kaming pinagkukuhanan ng pang-ulam noon. Ngayon, magkakalapit lang kami at hindi na kailangan lumayo sa aming mga pamilya at kaibigan para lang mag-hanapbuhay. Maganda na ang kalidad ng buhay namin sa tribo at higit sa lahat, masaya kami,” Dinge shares.
Because of the numerous jobs generated by these companies, Dinge’s tribe is proud that their children were able to get valuable education that they now have 56 collegiate graduates, and 22 more in school. He shares that before, when job opportunities were scarce in their community, their tribe had but three collegiate graduates. “Ngayon, hindi lang sila pinapaaral, binibigyan din silang kabataan ng mga kailangan nila, maging supplies man yun o financial assistance.” The tribe’s youth have their schooling supported by the mining companies from elementary to college graduation.
Apart from the job opportunities and educational support, the IP communities are granted one percent royalty share of the gross value of their products for the protection of their ancestral lands. “Natutuwa at nagpapasalamat ako dahil lahat ng gusto naming proyekto nakukuha namin dahil sa aming Royalty Tax. Merong kaming mga proyekto na tinuturuan kaming mangisda at mambukid; marami talagang tulong sa tribo namin yung royalty tax at kailanman hindi kami nagkaroon ng problema sa pangongolekta ng para sa amin.”
Furthermore, the tribal leader cites the improved quality of life through jobs and livelihood in his community and hopes that they can keep this quality of life for their children, “Walang masamang dinala ang pagmimina sa tribo namin kaya nga natatakot din kami na mawala ang mga kumpanya dito. Maging yung spiritual tradition namin ay napapanatili dahil nandito kami at sama-sama. Pinagmamalaki naming lahat dito na sa minahan kami nagtatrabaho. Sana ay pag-aralang mabuti ng gobyerno kung paano masusuportahan ang industriya para hindi naman kami mawalan ng kabuhayan dito sa probinsya,” the IP leader appeals. (PR)
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