ITOGON, Benguet – Small-scale miners of Itogon attest to the success of the Big Brother Small Brother (BBSB) program by Itogon Suyoc Resources Inc. (ISRI), since it started collaborating with small-scale miners in 2021.
ISRI introduced its program to the Sangilo mines three years ago with a successful attempt to integrate small-scale miners facing the risk of displacement, as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) suspends small-scale mining operations in Cordillera. However, small-scale miners were reluctant when the program was first introduced.
Demang Livelihood Association President (DLA), Marlon S. Pettoco said that when ISRI introduced the program in Barangay Ampucao, many miners were uncertain about the program’s credibility. Their group then asked ISRI to reintroduce the BBSB program in Sitio Dalicno. Afterwards, they decided to join the program with two agendas in mind–to be employed by the company and at the same time, to be able to watch over any violation that will be committed by the company.
Balingway Sangilo Small Scale Miners’ Association (BSSSMA) President, Lauro C. Comising also stated that they joined the program after ensuring that it is a good deal. Nevertheless, they faced difficulty in convincing other miners from their association. Eventually, their association members developed an interest to join after hearing the positive feedback from other association’s who first joined the program.
Due to Itogon’s topography and available resources, both small-scale miner leaders explained that mining is the leading industry and source of livelihood in the municipality. Unlike the majority in the region where agriculture is more prominent.
“Since birth, yung kinagisnan is mining. Kaya mula nung bata pa kami, dun na kami nagsimula na matuto ng pagmamining. Kaya hanggang ngayon na nagka anak at apo na,mining pa rin yung pinagkukunan natin ng ikakabuhay”, said Pettoco.
In 2018, following environmental and safety concerns, former Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu ordered the suspension of small-scale mining operations in Itogon. According to Pettoco, by his experience, they observe safety practices before entering the underground. He also acknowledges the importance of the environment.
Trees and most especially water resources are important to the community and not only in the underground. That is why Pettoco said that they always check if their mining site is near the water source. He added that so far, he doesn’t know of any issues where small-scale miners damaged any water source. He further claims that small-scale miners are responsible.
With the seriousness of responsible mining, Pettoco extends his message to irresponsible mining–
“Ang masasabi ko lang dyan, yung sinasabi ko na hindi lahat pera. Kung sa tingin natin may masisira tayo, pag-isipan natin. Kung ang operation natin ay makakasira, itigil na muna natin yan kung may masisira.”
With the Big Brother Small Brother partnership, BSSSMA President Comising expressed his relief when they were able to join the company. He stated that the policies of ISRI that they need to follow is a good thing, especially in dealing with fellow miners who are violators.
DLA President Pettoco vouched that ISRI is truly acting and serving its purpose as the Big Brother to those who are considered as the Small Brothers. Aside from being given employment opportunities and increased income, ISRI also assigns specific mining sites where they can work on.
In Pettuco and Comising’s testimony, they mentioned how the partnership helped them overcome challenges they faced as independent small-scale miners. Such as facing greater risks with the lack of proper gears and equipment. But with ISRI, they were able to strengthen safe mining practices with training conducted by ISRI on mining safety and proper use of gears and equipment.
Comising further stated how they do not rely on luck anymore with ISRI’s geologists and engineers that guides them on the best areas to mine.
“Dito sa kompanya, meron silang mga engineer, mga geologist. Hindi na uso ang tsamba siguro dito dahil alam na ng geologist, ‘dito kayo magmina’ at meron nga. Kami hindi namin alam kung meron dyan. Sige basta by chance lang,butas ng butas. Kaya mas maganda sa company.”
However, despite the advantages, problems with the company are unavoidable. Facing issues such as lack of equipment for air and water supply as the number of workers are increasing, and issues with revenue sharing.
Pettuco then stated that their grievances regarding these issues are currently being addressed to solve operational problems. Meanwhile, Comising further hopes that the company will attend to the problems they are endorsing for them and the company to have mutual understanding.
In contrast, from when the BBSB program was first introduced, Pettuco said that there is no need to refer the program to other small-scale miner groups because currently many groups are lined up to join BBSB. Comising also stated his association members who are not yet part of the program are looking forward to becoming part of it. By Peachy Clarisse L. Tillay
