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Thursday, January 29, 2009

Tunel Cave-ins and Chaos: A sword of Damocles for Abanteros



By Ivy Leomen B. Codilla

Published by KASIKAS on November 2000, Compostela Valley Province.



The Mine tunnel workers popularly known as abanteros struggle to cope with economic hardships. It's not the rich mineral deposits in the gold-rush in Mt. Diwata that matter to them; it's their willingness to take the risk. It is the need to feed their stomachs that made them venture into this hazardous occupation.

For nearly 20 years of mining exploration in Mt. Diwata, the abantero sector is a major force in extracting gold from ore. From the use primitive tools, they now use advance implements, making them, despite the changes in equipment used, as the lifeblood of production in the mining industry.

Historically, hundreds of abanteros have died from tunnel bar-down and landslides, let alone those who have become victims of violence, from ambush, murder, to toxic poisoning. Bypassing the rights of the other mining operators is a source of chaos and wanted to accumulate wealth and ultimately perpetuate economic dominance in unjust way. These people do not think that they're oppressing the basic working force, the abanteros who were always the victims. Eventually, Mt. Diwata endowed with blessings and richness in gold is contemporarily known as the center battlefield of Monkayo, Compostela Valley because of the war-outbreak among rivals in mining exploration.

For as long as miners are not willing to put an end to their dispute and continue to promote greed, they will always face the dangers that their occupation carry. The natural risks they face from cave-ins are even ominous for digging tunnels resembles the sword of Damocles that hangs over the head. These are the hard facts for them (mineworker) whose lives depended on the kind of work they could offer them. Aware that they need to live a decent and meaningful life.

In upholding the integrity of creation and procreation, ideals are our guide. But when reality steps-in it demands us to be just, fair, and civilized. Idealism is doing what you think is right. Being fair and just is doing what needs to be done right to create peaceful atmosphere in mining industry of Mt.Diwata.


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