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BONTOC, MOUNTAIN PROVINCE – Bringing an engaging and informative radio program that will shine a spotlight on artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in the Philippines; and following the success of the radio program in Camarines Norte which premiered on 25 June 2023, the Artisanal Gold Council Philippines and planetGOLD Philippines project partnered with Philippine Broadcasting Service-Bureau of Broadcast Services (PBS-BBS) and its DZRH 107.3 FM Radyo Pilipinas Bontoc to launch the Mountain Province edition of The Gold Talk: Sa Responsableng Pagmimina, Lahat Giginhawa! (In responsible mining, All will prosper!) on 29 April 2024.
A ceremonial signing of Memorandum of Agreement between the aforementioned organizations and offices took place at the DZRH 107.3 FM Radyo Pilipinas Bontoc office in Bontoc, Mountain Province on 15 February 2024. The said partnership aims to create a platform that highlights the vital contributions of the ASGM sector to the development of the province and the nation at large. By disseminating reliable information, engaging in timely discussions, and addressing relevant issues, the show aims to empower miners and push for the professionalization and formalization of the sector, fostering a path toward a safer, cleaner, and more profitable ASGM. Present in the ceremonial signing of MOA were Radyo Pilipinas Bontoc (RP Bontoc) Station Manager Donalyn Kawis-Balio, Artisanal Gold Council-planetGOLD Philippines National Communication Officer Dawn Po Quimque, and Artisanal Gold Council-planetGOLD Philippines Field Coordinator-Sagada Carmen Malabong.
Highlighting the role of radio in sharing crucial information to communities, RP Bontoc Station Manager Donalyn Kawis-Balio expressed how grateful she is with the partnership. “We are deeply grateful for our new partnership with the Artisanal Gold Council through the planetGOLD Philippines project. This collaboration is a powerful opportunity for DZRA 107.3 FM Radyo Pilipinas Bontoc to amplify the voices of small-scale miners and shine a light on their important stories. Through our broadcasts, we aim to elevate the impact of their efforts and support the transition to mercury-free mining practices, making a positive difference for both communities and the environment.”
Meanwhile, planetGOLD Philippines National Project Manager Abigail Ocate shared the importance of providing platforms where information, issues, and trends about the ASGM sector can be discussed, in line with the Component 4 of the project. “As we saw the impact and success of The Gold Talk in Camarines Norte in highlighting the stories of the ASGM sector in the province, we decided to push for the Mountain Province edition of The Gold Talk in recognition of the stories and different experiences of small-scale miners from the region; which is also in line with the Component 4 of the project, the Knowledge Management. We hope that through the radio program, we are able to raise awareness on the contribution of the ASGM sector to the development and progress of communities.”
The premiere episode of The Gold Talk Bontoc aired on 29 April 2024 and was hosted by Donalyn Kawis-Balio; co-hosted by Artisanal Gold Council-planetGOLD Philippines National Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist Mildred Arucan. The hosts kicked off the episode by discussing the latest activities and developments of planetGOLD Philippines in Mountain Province, particularly in Sagada. They highlighted the various initiatives undertaken by the project to promote responsible small-scale mining, improve working conditions at mining sites, and enhance the socio-economic contributions of the ASGM sector.
In the first episode, the show featured Engr. Brent F. Pagteilan, Chief of the Monitoring and Technical Services Section of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau-Cordillera Administrative Region (MGB-CAR). He joined the insightful discussion about the steps that the government is taking towards a formalized, safer, and cleaner ASGM in the region.
Aside from providing the historical background of ASGM in the region, Engr. Pagteilan shared why the sector is still considered informal, the challenges surrounding the sector, and why it is important for small-scale mining communities to apply their mining areas as Minahang Bayan or People’s Small-scale Mining Area. “The artisanal and small-scale gold mining sector is considered in our country as among the informal sector since there is no employment security, workplace safety, and social security as well as deliberately declaring the income and paying taxes. Consequently, small-scale mining legislation in the Philippines has long been framed considering the need for regulation of the sector and its acknowledgment as becoming a part of the formal economy. Therefore, it is important for small-scale miners to conduct mining operations in Minahang Bayan because it is the declared and specified area approved by the Provincial/City Mining Regulatory Board (P/CMRB) where they can hold mining activities.”
The first episode ended with a series of infomercials from planetGOLD Philippines highlighting the role of women in ASGM, the importance of responsible ASGM practices, and the story of Northern Sagada Barangays Small-Scale Mining Association (NSBSSMAI) former President Alfredo “Manong Fred” Sumebang.
The future episodes of The Gold Talk includes:
planetGOLD Philippines Project Sustainability, including the Mercury-Free Processing System (MFPS) in Sagada, Mountain Province.
Capacity Development Activities in partnership with Mountain Province State Polytechnic College (MPSPC);
Gold Trading Program of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP); and
Gender Equality in the ASGM sector.
Stay tuned on planetGOLD Philippines and DZRH 107.3 FM Radyo Pilipinas Bontoc Facebook pages to watch the latest episodes of The Gold Talk Bontoc.
The planetGOLD Philippines Project is funded by the Global Environment Facility, implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme, and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, and executed by the Artisanal Gold Council.
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