Magmina, magkapera – solon

UPANG maibsan ang kahirapan ng bansa sanhi ng pandemya, iminungkahi ng isang senior congressman ng administrasyon kahapon na buksan ang mga minahan kung saan kikita ang bayan.

Ayon kay Rep. Robert Ace Barbers ng Surigao del Norte, maaaring ang pagmimina ang solusyon sa bagsak na ekonomiya ng bansa.

“Mining is the only solution to our post-CoVid-19 economic debacle. It is high time that we take a good look at our mines. This is the only answer to our economic woes,” ani Barbers sa privilege speech nitong Martes.

“This is the only source of funding that could pay off all the debts incurred now and stimulate growth in our economy,” aniya habang hinimok ang policymakers na  “reconsider, revisit and reinvigorate the local metallic and non-metallic mining operations.”

Sinabi ni Barbers, ang chairman ng  dangerous drugs committee ng Mababang Kapulungan na may pag-asa noong Setyembre 22012 ang  Mines and Geosciences Bureau ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources na may “estimated US$840 billion worth of untapped mineral wealth” ang bansa.

“The Philippines is the fifth most mineral-rich country in the world for gold, nickel, copper, chromite, iron ore, lead, and zinc, many of them drawn from major deposits in the islands of Luzon and Mindanao,” ayon kay Barbers.

“Those estimates by the MGB were made eight (8) years ago. And the continuing rise in the worldwide prices of precious metals, particularly gold, makes the value of our untapped minerals increase to trillions of dollars,” aniya.

Binangit ni Barbers na ang kasalukuyang trading price ng ginto sa mundo ay aabot sa US$2,000 per ounce. Ang bansa natin ay nakaupo sa milyon-milyong gramo ng gold deposits.

“Aside from gold, we also have lots of other minerals and precious metals. Just imagine the prosperity that we have been missing all this time. Are we waiting for another country to again lay claim over these wealth of ours?” tanong niya.

Aniya ang Canada at Australia, ay yumaman sa pagmimina na libo-libong tao ang nabigyan ng trabaho.

“They contribute as much as 6 percent to their GDP (gross domestic product) compared to our 0.6 percent mining contribution. Let us use their experience as our template. They were able to mine in their countries with minimal environmental disruptions,” aniya.

“With the advanced technology, we can do the same here. Natural resources are God-given endowments to be utilized by mankind for his prosperity. They were not intended to remain hidden forever while people starve and wallow in misery,” dagdag ni Barbers. (GERRY BALDO)