Gina Lopez's crusade against mining companies could have unintended consequences in the field of education because, up until now, mines have been at the forefront of helping a whole generation of kids get a decent level of schooling whilst also helping to plug the gap in the government funding of educational establishments.
Companies such as Philsaga, who have given children and their communities a brighter future thanks to their corporate vision “To see the Filipino people improve their quality of life by addressing the unmet basic needs of the people at the provincial and village levels with special emphasis on the youth and the environment, by providing scholarship to the poor and deserving students, by assisting them in their livelihood and for uplifting their social and economic needs”.
Since 2001, Philsaga Mining Corporation has established an enviable record acknowledged by municipal and regional governments, and at a national level. Through their education initiatives an estimated 10,000 students have enrolled at schools supported by the Company.
Students like Rechie Duenas from Mindanao, whose schooling from elementary level to graduation was supported by SMI- Sagittarius Mines Inc.
They paid for his tuition fees, lodgings, books and monthly living allowance - something his parents could never have afforded to do.
According to Rechie, his supported education made a huge difference to his life and his future prospects. “I would definitely have ended up up as a laborer, drug addict or have gotten involved in crime” he says.
As far as he is concerned, if companies like Philsaga and the like close, it would have a massive negative impact on some schools in the company's catchment areas because the schools rely on the mining companies not only to support individual students but also to help with building maintenance and teacher honoraria – a crucial source of funding for rural schools where, according to Mr Duenas, the government does not funnel sufficient budgets.
If the mining companies close, can Ms Lopez give an answer as to where the money will come from for the kinds of projects Philsaga has undertaken such as:
- Supporting the salaries and wages and meals of all the teachers and workers of the Philsaga High School Foundation, including the Master’s degree courses undertaken by some of the teachers and guidance counselors;
- Providing school chairs, books and other supplies for students;
- Providing funds for before-class school preparation in 23 schools, as well as providing school materials for the children;
- Providing monthly honoraria for 43 teacher’s salaries and support training seminars for teachers to upgrade their teaching skills, as well as providing instructional materials;
- Providing two daily return bus services for high school students from remote areas to attend high school and provide monthly honoraria to day care workers.
A mining industry group has said the mining closures and suspensions could affect 1.2 million people.
It looks like a large part of that number could be children, young people and teachers whose futures now hang in the balance.
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