UP Ibalon Bicol: mining

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Coal mine blast in China points to the cost of development for 1.3 billion people

11/23/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

Out of the 528 people working in XinXing coal mine, 420 survived the predawn blast on Saturday, Novermber 21, 2009. A total 104 died after gas levels suddenly went up and triggered a huge explosion. At least 4 were still unaccounted for and about 40 were brought to nearby hospital for treatment of burns and injuries.

According the survivors, some of their friends were not able to escape in spite of the warning they relayed on the impending explosion. Soon after the fatal blast, fearful mine workers in an adjacent site of the accident were hesitant to come down the shaft, but they had no choice for they need to work. Otherwise, they will be jobless and have no means of livelihood.

The blast is the worst in 2 years as China tries to generate its energy source for fuel for its 1.3 billion people. Coal is the source of ¾ of China’s electricity. The communist country, accelerating to grow and attain development, wants to achieve 8% economic growth for this year. This is part of their desire to boost their economy and have prominence among the world's influential nations.

In 2007, shafts at two neighboring mines suffered flooding which killed 181 miners in eastern Shandong province. A massive landslide caused by heavy mining led to deaths of 277 people in mud in Shanxi province.

Residents were awakened by the latest blast in the early morning in Hegang province, an old city with snow which often is dark-gray resulting from coal contamination---a big issue in environmental pollution. Despite closure of about 1,000 dangerous mines last year, accidents and deaths of miners still happen. (Photo Credit: Niklausberger) =0=

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Labels: accident, blast, China, death, disaster, environment, explosion, mining, pollution, Totie Mesia

Four million Filipino child-laborers

9/05/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

With the objective to lower down the incidence of exploitation and child labor in the Philippines, the ABK2, a project funded by the US Department of Labor recently helped in rescuing about 6,800 child laborers--- at least 1,984 in in Cebu and 4,863 in Negros Oriental.

The children were removed from difficult and hazardous working conditions and were offered some education through the coordinated work of the World Vision Development Foundation, ChildFund International (formerly known as Christian Children’s Fund), and ERDA.

Child Laborers at a Glance:

Number: 4 million child laborers

Ages: 5-17 years old

Work Hours:
1 to 4 hours---2 million;
5-8 hours---1.3 million;
8 hrs plus---360,000

Areas of employment:
Scavenging
Prostitution
Agriculture
Fishing
Quarry &Mining
Domestic work

Education:
No schooling: 1.3 million

Before their rescue, the children were engaged in scavenging, peddling sex and drugs, doing domestic work, working in mines, fishing, agriculture, and quarry. They were part of an estimated 4 million children between ages 5 to 17 years in the labor force around the country.

A third of these children (1.3 million) do not attend school. Of those who attend school, they face problems such as learning difficulties, lack of school supplies, unsupportive teachers, and lack of time to study.

“In Negros Oriental, 4,591 children who were working in sugarcane plantations were pulled out from their workplace, followed by 162 kids in domestic work and 110 child laborers from commercial agriculture.

Nationwide, the project has rescued and assisted 23,095 child laborers. But ABK2 Project Director Daphne Culanag said the figure is insignificant compared to the estimated four million child laborers around the country. “The figure is just a drop in the bucket of the four million child laborers we want to help,”---Manila Bulletin (09/04/09, Mosqueda, MW Jr.)

The staggering number of children being exploited in the country belies the progress that is usually harped by the government. Social inequity has trickled in among the most vulnerable in society. In spite of efforts to generate jobs locally and abroad, the need for work to survive has forced young boys and girls to forgo their childhood, be independent, and help in keeping the family alive. (Photo Credit: Claude Barutel) =0=

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Labels: Agriculture, cheap labor, children, exploitation, Filipinos, jobs, labor, mining, poverty, scavenging, sex worker, Totie

Bicol bishops up against coal mining in Catanduanes

8/20/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

Bishops in Bicol have voiced their opposition against the Monte de Oro Resources and Energy Inc. which was awarded exploration of 7,000 hectares for coal mining in towns of San Andres, Caramoan and Panganiban in Catanduanes.

A friend of Pres. Gloria M. Arroyo, Enrique Razon is the owner of the private company which has an additional 8,000 hectares allocated by the Department of Energy for the same purpose. The mining operation is expected to yield P6.2 billion, bringing the government 3% return of P186 million and P9 million in taxes.

The bishops are planning to ask help from Pope Benedict XVI in their rejection of the mining project which endangers the environment, disrupts livelihood, and threatens destruction of Catanduanes Island. Their position is supported by the Provincial Board of Catanduanes which passed a resolution supporting the pro-environmet and anti-mining stance.

The bishops recall the mining experience of Rapu-Rapu, Albay in the Diocese of Legazpi, which caused pollution and threatened the health of the residents in the area. In December 2008, the bishops informed the pope of their concerns and they plan to follow the issue with him in the Vatican.

“We are going to meet this coming November to come up with another pastoral letter, statements and another letter to be sent to the Pope,” said Bishop Quiambao.

The 2008 letter was signed by Bishops Leonardo Legaspi of the metropolitan archbishop of Caceres, Arturo Bastes of the Diocese of Sorsogon, Manolo A. de los Santos of Virac, Gilbert Carcera of Daet, Joel Baylon Masbate, Jose Rojas Jr. of Libmanan, and Quiambao.”---Inquirer (08/20/09, Nasol, Rey, M; Gianan, F.)

The mining exploration is not bad per se. Mining provides livelihood and improves the economy in the community. Yet to operate, it has to have safeguards against pollution and environmental destruction. A rejection of the exploration is valid if these safeguards aren’t met and the benefits of the operation will not benefit the the community.(Photo Credit: xiquinhosilva) =0=

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Labels: bicol, Bishop, Bishop Arturo Bastes, Bishop Gilbert Garcera, Bishop Joel Baylon, Bishop Jose Rojas Jr, Bishop Leonardo Legaspi, Bishop Manolo de los Santos, Catanduanes, environment, mining

UP Ibalon Bicol

Coal mine blast in China points to the cost of development for 1.3 billion people

Four million Filipino child-laborers

Bicol bishops up against coal mining in Catanduanes

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