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PHILIPPINES - Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) has been a significant source of income for many communities around the world. It is a reality, however, that external conditions such as inclement weather, market fluctuations, regulatory changes, etc. can expose miners to economic uncertainty. But more than these, the major challenge that small-scale miners face in the sector is its informal set-up, leading to their unstable source of income as they are only allowed to sell gold to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas or the Central Bank of the Philippines.
In the 2022 Contextual Study by planetGOLD Philippines, although both the project sites in Sagada and Paracale recognize ASGM as one of their main sources of livelihood, the participants emphasized the need for alternative livelihood training for their communities. This comes with the fact that mining is a non-renewable resource industry and that these communities will sooner or later need to transition to other livelihoods once their ore reserves are depleted.
In line with planetGOLD’s Philippines’ Component 3: Better Technology and Technique which aims to introduce innovations to mining stakeholders through capacity development activities, the project–in partnership with Negoskwela Technology and Livelihood Training Center (NTLTC)–conducted a series of Alternative Livelihood Training programs on 2-4 April 2024 and 23-25 April 2024, for Sagada and Paracale communities, respectively. The hands-on training sessions are in response to the Training Needs Assessment and consultation meetings conducted by the Project, and in continuation of the previous livelihood seminars. The assessment provided baseline data on the gaps in capacities and priority training needs of male and female miners, as well as government partners actively involved in ASGM in the Minahang Bayan in Sagada, Mountain Province and Paracale, Camarines Norte.
Attended by a total of 132 participants from the project’s partner mining organizations, Northern Sagada Barangay Small-scale Miners Association Inc. (NSBSSMAI) and Samahan ng mga Minero sa Barangay Casalugan (SMBC), as well as selected members of the local communities, the training introduced different alternative livelihoods to the participants through lectures and discussions. The participants were also equipped with the necessary skills through hands-on training.
NTLTC is a private institution focused on encouraging and fostering a vibrant local and regional economy through training individuals interested in participating in the country’s economy. With its team of resource persons, NTLTC conducted the training covering topics aligned with the interests and needs of the participants.
The training aimed to provide an avenue for small-scale gold miners and stakeholders to pursue an alternative livelihood through lectures and hands-on training. Moreover, the training hopes to empower individuals and communities economically, equip participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to engage in income-generating activities, reduce the vulnerability of participants by diversifying income sources, and alleviate poverty by providing sustainable income-generating activities that can improve the standard of living for community members.
Leolanda N. Binanitan, the President/Chief-Executive-Officer (CEO) of Negoskwela, introduced their organization and explained the house rules for the training followed by a brief introduction for each resource speaker for every topic.
In Sagada, the training was a three-day activity which consists of discussions and hands-on training from experts on the following topics:
Basic Meat Processing by Ms. Lourdes G. Cruz;
Cakes and Pastries by Ms. Lourdes G. Cruz; and
Mushroom Culture by Prof. Patrocinio O. Macalinao Jr.
While in Paracale, this training was also a three-day activity in which the topics discussed and introduced were the following:
Basic Meat Processing by Ms. Lourdes G. Cruz;
Scented Candle Making by Ms. Teresita T. Tamayo; and
Herbal Liniment Making by Ms. Teresita T. Tamayo
Through this training, planetGOLD Philippines ensures to continue its support in the development of the ASGM sector, recommends broadening capacity-building activities and hands-on training to further enhance the skills and experience of small-scale mining stakeholders, recommends diversifying the skills and income of the association to reduce reliance on a single source of livelihood to ensure the sustainability of the alternative livelihood initiatives and provide more training, mentorship, and technical assistance to the small-scale miners.
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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