Mga panganib na kapalit ng pagmimina ng ginto (Full Episode) | Reporter’s Notebook
Summary
TLDRThe script follows Edmar and RG, two miners risking their lives in dangerous, makeshift tunnels to extract gold in a rural area. Edmar, a scholar and former honor student, was forced to leave school after his father's death to support his family through mining. Despite the hazards, including collapsing tunnels and toxic chemicals, they persevere, hoping to find valuable gold and secure a better future. Edmar reflects on his lost educational opportunities while dreaming of a safer and more stable life outside of mining. The script highlights the hardships, dangers, and hopes tied to small-scale mining in the Philippines.
Takeaways
- ⛏️ Mining is a dangerous and challenging livelihood for Edmar and his community, where they descend deep into narrow tunnels to extract gold-bearing rocks.
- 🌍 Mining has been a primary source of livelihood in their area for over five decades, though it poses significant risks to the miners.
- 🎓 Edmar hopes to leave the mining industry to continue his education, which he paused after his father’s death in 2013.
- 🚸 Edmar, who started entering the mines at around 8 years old, shows the dangers and difficulties faced by miners, including slippery paths and poor air quality.
- ⚠️ Safety is a concern, with miners using wooden beams to prevent collapses and relying on compressors for air circulation, but accidents are common.
- 💀 The script mentions the deaths of miners, including a 17-year-old named Angelo, who succumbed to toxic chemicals in a closed mine.
- ⚒️ Miners, including Edmar and his older brother Edison, work together to collect and crush rocks, separating gold from the stone, often using hazardous chemicals like mercury.
- 💰 Despite the risks, mining provides a modest income, with Edmar earning around Php600 per day, but it is not enough to escape poverty.
- 📊 While Masbate is rich in gold deposits, it remains one of the poorest provinces in the Philippines, highlighting the disparity between the wealth from mining and local living conditions.
- 🎓 Edmar is now preparing to re-enter school through the Alternative Learning System (ALS), hoping for a better future beyond the dangers of mining.
Q & A
What is the primary activity of Edmar and his group in the script?
-Edmar and his group are engaged in gold mining, descending into dangerous and narrow tunnels to extract gold-bearing rocks.
What are some of the safety risks associated with their work in the mine?
-The miners face several risks including suffocation from thin air, physical injuries from falling rocks or slips, and exposure to poisonous chemicals like mercury.
Why does Edmar continue working in the dangerous mine despite the risks?
-Edmar continues mining to support his family financially, as mining is the only available means for him to earn money. He also hopes to save enough to return to school.
How did Edmar's father’s death impact his decision to enter mining?
-Edmar’s father was killed in 2013, leaving the family without a breadwinner. As a result, Edmar had to quit school and begin working in the mines to support his family.
What type of equipment do the miners use to navigate the tunnels?
-The miners use headlamps for lighting, wooden planks for support while descending, and compressors to ensure there is breathable air in the tunnels.
How does Edmar describe the process of mining for gold?
-Edmar explains that mining involves digging through narrow tunnels and sinking shafts, finding specific rocks with white streaks that indicate gold presence, and using mercury to extract the gold.
What are some of the health risks associated with the use of mercury in the mining process?
-Exposure to mercury can severely affect the brain, lungs, and kidneys. Inhalation of mercury vapors or direct contact can lead to poisoning, which poses long-term health risks.
What was Edmar's educational background before he started mining?
-Edmar was a scholar and an honor student before he had to quit school following his father’s death to work in the mines. He hopes to return to school through the Alternative Learning System (ALS).
What is Edmar's long-term goal despite working in the mines?
-Edmar’s long-term goal is to save enough money from mining to return to school, find a safer job, and support his family.
What does the script reveal about the economic situation in Masbate, particularly in relation to gold mining?
-Despite the presence of large-scale and small-scale gold mining, Masbate remains one of the poorest provinces in the Philippines. Many residents rely on dangerous small-scale mining to earn a living, even though they struggle financially.
Outlines
⛏️ Mining for Gold in Dangerous Depths
Edmar and RG, two friends, descend into a deep mining pit in search of gold. Equipped with headlamps, they proceed cautiously as any wrong step could result in a serious accident. The gold mining industry has been the primary livelihood for the residents in their area for over five decades, but Edmar hopes this is his final month in this dangerous work. He plans to continue his education. Mining conditions are treacherous, with tight tunnels and poor ventilation. Each step requires caution, and accidents are common in such environments.
⚠️ Perils of the Gold Mines
The miners must navigate narrow, slippery tunnels to reach gold-rich stones. Air compressors provide ventilation while water is pumped out of the mines. The conditions are tough, with miners facing potential injuries from falling rocks or hazardous chemicals. Edmar, a seasoned miner despite his young age, shows how miners endure physical risks, slipping through tight passages with limited air and facing life-threatening conditions every day. Despite the dangers, the dream of striking rich with high-grade gold keeps them going.
💰 Extracting Gold from Rock
The rocks Edmar and his brother Edison extract from the mines contain traces of gold. They search for rocks with white streaks that indicate the presence of gold, discarding those without it. High-grade rocks are highly prized. Edmar dreams of simple stability—enough work, a small house, and food for his family. He envies his classmates who are continuing their education while he works in the mines, knowing that his opportunity for a different life was lost due to his father's death.
💀 Deadly Hazards of Mining
Mining is not just difficult; it’s deadly. The story of 17-year-old Angelo, who died from inhaling toxic chemicals in a closed mine, is a tragic reminder of the risks miners face. Edmar knows this danger firsthand, as his own family has faced similar threats. Despite the risks, miners like him have little choice but to continue, as this work provides the only source of income for their families. This section highlights the reality of life for small-scale miners, who endure both physical dangers and economic struggles.
🏫 Hopes for a Better Future
Edmar continues to hope for a future outside the mines. He has taken steps to return to school through the Alternative Learning System (ALS), aspiring to break free from the life of a miner. Though he risks his life with each descent into the pit, Edmar remains optimistic that one day he will rise above his circumstances. He dreams of a better job with decent pay, far from the dangers of the gold mines. His story illustrates the resilience of miners who seek better lives despite overwhelming challenges.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Mining
💡Gold
💡Tunnel
💡Mercury
💡Poverty
💡Safety Hazards
💡Education
💡Family Responsibility
💡Health Risks
💡Gold Market
Highlights
Edmar and RG carefully descend into a deep mining pit with only headlamps as their light source, aware of the risks of an accident due to one wrong step.
Mining has been a major source of livelihood for the residents in the area for over five decades, but Edmar hopes this will be his last month working in the dangerous pits.
Edmar started working in the mines at the age of eight, and now, at a year into digging a specific pit with his group, he shows the difficult conditions underground.
The descent into the pit becomes more treacherous, with slippery surfaces and falling rocks being common hazards.
The deeper they go, the narrower the tunnel becomes, barely wide enough for a single person to fit through, and the air becomes thinner.
A compressor system pumps air down through one tube and sucks water out through another, while miners continue to dig deeper, risking their lives.
Edmar reveals that he is a scholar and honor student who stopped studying after his father died in 2013, forcing him to support his family by mining.
The dream of finding high-grade gold drives miners like Edmar, despite the dangers, as they work in tight, air-deprived tunnels.
Three miners tragically died from inhaling toxic chemicals in a closed mine in Aroroy, Masbate, emphasizing the deadly risks miners face daily.
Edmar has handled and inhaled mercury for almost 10 years as part of the gold extraction process, knowing the health risks involved.
Mercury, used to separate gold from rock, poses severe health hazards, affecting the brain, kidneys, and lungs of miners who are exposed to its fumes.
Edmar dreams of returning to school after saving enough money from mining, but the harsh reality is that mining barely provides enough to live on.
Miners extract around 36 grams of gold in three days, earning them a collective Php 40,000, of which Edmar receives Php 2,000.
Despite the risks, mining remains one of the primary means of livelihood in Masbate, with both large- and small-scale mining operations contributing to the local economy.
Edmar sees his friends graduating and wearing togas, while he continues to risk his life in the mines, hoping for a better future.
The government aims to regulate small-scale mining by bringing them into recognized mining towns, offering miners a safer and more stable future.
Transcripts
[Musika]
sa hukay na may lalim na halos t
talampakan bababa ang magkaibigang edar
at
RG ang pakay nila B kuha ng mga batong
may ginto
ilaw na nakatali sa ulo ang tangi nilang
liwanag maingat ang bawat pagtapak isang
maling galaw pwede silang maaksidente
doble ingat saka dasal na lang
[Musika]
sa loob ng mahigit limang Dekada
pagmimina na ang kabuhayan ng maraming
residente sa kanilang
lugar pero si Edmar umaasang Ito na ang
huling buwan napasok siya sa mapanganib
na
hukay plano niya ituloy ang kanyang
[Musika]
mag-aaral si edimar mga walong taong
gulang pa lang n nasubukang pumasok sa
minahan ngayon papakita ni edim sa amin
kung ano yung
sitwasyon sa ilalim ng
buho susubukan naming babain ang hukay
na pagmimina Edmar
mag-iisang taon na mula ng hukayin ng
grupo nina edimar ang butas na
[Musika]
ito sa sobrang tahimik sa loob ng hukay
rinig ang bawat buntong hininga
[Musika]
ang mga kahoy sa gilid ng hukay ang
nagsisilbing hawakan at apakan
Pababa Minsan nga madulas dulas ka diyan
sa baba eh Sa sobrang hirap ng pagbaba
mo magkakasugat yung kamay mo babagsakan
ka ng ano mga bato malalaking Bato
titiisin mo kaya naman sa malaglag ka
buhis buhay din pero yan kailangan din
talaga eh kaya naman sa mamatay lang sa
gutom pagbaba pa lang hirap na habang
lumalalim mas lumiliit ang butas na
dinaraanan
namin kasya lang para makapasok ang
isang
tao yan tapos wi ul utin mo ' utin mo '
ng paa ng paa dito ka bumaba na yung
bababa na yung kay mo sa pagbaba pa
lang kaya mga first timer Mahirap na
yung hangin Okay pa
naman basa na yung lupa kaya medyo
madulas na agag hindi ka talaga Sana
hindi mo alam kung sak ano yung susunod
mong aapakan eh ganyan o abutin mo Okay
yan o Hwag ka sa masyadong makun na
ganyan baka dumalos ganyan Okay
yan
dito diyan
dito ito ah sisimula na yung pagpasok sa
unang
tunnel medyo Dito pa lang ninipis na
yung hangin
no Oo nga pag hindi
pagkatapos babain ng butas kailangan
namang sumuot sa mas makipot na
tunnel kaya niyo pa dito pero doon
madulas na
do taas kasi maliit dito maluwag pa
to pangalawa pa nga lang wala pa nga
kayo sa one E isang Gul pa
lang yan sikip na diyan pasikip
biglang ganito yung Kuhang parang taso
na ayun sikip doun
Oh ayan oh sobrang delikado pero ayun
nga palaging doble ingat pag nandito ka
sa
ilalim Ano ang iisip mo para ipagpatuloy
yung ginagawa mo sa kabila ng pangal
yung makakuha ng maraming ginto tapos
makauwi ng pera sa pamilya
tapos yung ano yung sinasabing high
grade na rumarami yung ginto tapos yung
malaki yung ano kinilo yung kukuh
ginto dalawang tubo ang nakalinya Pababa
ng tunnel sa isang tubo dumadaloy Pababa
ang hangin mula sa compressor sa itaas
ang isa namang tubo hinihigop ang tubig
mula sa ilalim ng minahan Saan
naggagaling ang tubig sa ilalim yung mga
h na to y ang h ah meron kaming mga
makina Malamig naman pala rito ano
malamig dito kasi may butos
pa ung unang pangal ag nandoon ka na sa
baba may biglang sumunod o may dalang
maso tinatawag na yung bakal agag
nalaglag yung sayo pwede kang tamaan sa
ulo ag yung usok pag hindi ka sanay
mahilo ka mahimatay ka doun sa loob ag
yung hindi mo kaya yung resistensya mo
yung oxygen Parang hindi ka naman
masyadong makahinga lalo na kung ano
yung butas niyo dun sa loob ano walang
tubig kasi lang kumukuha ng ano oxygen m
itong tunel na ito mga isang taon na daw
mula nung ah
hukayin kabilang sa mga safety
precaution na ginawa ng mga minero yung
ah paglalagay ng kahoy sa ibabaw yung
iba naman makikita mo sa ibang portion
meron sa gilid proteksyon yun panlaban
sa guho ito maliwanag dito sa ilalim
dahil may ilaw yung aming camera Pero
kung ah aasa ka lang talaga dun sa Ilaw
na bitbit ng mga minero
ganito lang inyo
makikita palalim ng palalim ang
pinapasok naming butas ni
[Musika]
Ed mas malayo at mas
malalim mas may posibilidad raw na
makahanap ng magandang uri ng
ginto sinking ang tawag nila sa butas na
pababa
Mahaba kasi yan e Tapos pagbaba mo ng
sinking na mataas tannel ka naman ng
pakanan toos sinking na naman ang
pinakalast doon Bababa ka ng ano meron
doon nakak kamada na mga ano parang sako
tapos pagbaba mo doon tunnel na naman
tos parang medyo pataas na tos Bababa ka
pa 45 na tinatawag namin toos pagdating
mo doon may tubig do Yun na
yon sa puntong ito Kinailangan ko ng
tumigil
numinipis na kasi ang hangin sa
ibaba pero si edimar nagpatuloy sa
pagbaybay sa tunnel at pagpasok sa
butas nang makarating sa mismong
pinagkukunan ng batong may
ginto agad na nagtiti Sia
edimar dito na niya nadatnan ang isa
pang kasamahan na si RG 20 taong
gulang pag nandon na kami sa
pinakailalim sa aming kinukuhanan ng
ginto tulong-tulong na
yan natanong namin kung nagaaral si
edimar dito ko nalaman na scholar at
honor student si edimar bago siya
tumigil at
mapasabak n napatay ang kanyang amaan
noong 2013 nawala ng naghahanap buhay sa
kanilang pamilya kaya napilitang kuminto
si Edmar sa
pag-aaral hindi na natin pagkatapos ng
dalawang oras sa pagmimina isinako nina
edimar ang mga nadurog na
bato pinangarap mo bang ito yung pasukin
Mon trabaho Hindi naman po kaso nga lang
po yun nga wala ang ibang
trabaho kung Mahirap yung ah Pababa sabi
ng mga minero Mas lalong mas mahirap
yung
papanik madulas y madulas nga eh hawak
ka
dito Wait
lang takbang
[Musika]
yan TS event dito Dian matataas kasi ka
e Kumusta Ako
yan sanay
[Musika]
naman ang mga sako ng bato isa-isa ng
iniaangat mula sa
hukay sa itaas nalaman naming kasama rin
ni Edmar sa pagmimina ang nakatatandang
kapatid na si
Edison 25 taong
gulang ipinakita sa amin ni edimar kung
anong klaseng bato ang Hinahanap nila
ito yung tinik namin sa baba na na mga
bato na may merong mga kurit na puti na
dito yung ung ano na mga ginto dumidikit
kasi meron ding mga bato na walang ginto
ung tinatawag naming siding tinatapon na
yan kasi wala naman yang laman ng ano
ginto tapos yung merong parang t years
lang parang dalawang guhit yan ang
sinusunod namin Pag lumaki yan tos
merong ginto yan tinatawag naming high
grade Mayaman sa
[Musika]
ginto Anong dream mo An po simple lang
mm may konting trabaho tapos konting
bahay lang mm saka kahit hindi na
masyadong malaki yung sahod Basta yung
tama lang makakain sa tatlong araw tapos
may pambili ng pangangailangan
Nakakainggit naman p Nakita mo na yung
mga ka-batchmate nandon na nag-aaral na
sila mm nakasuot na ng ano toga Okay eh
samantalang Ikaw kung pumapasok ka ng
butas ngayon m sinayang lang yung
opportunity na dapat na hindi dapat
[Musika]
sayangin tatlong lalaki ang nasawi
matapos umanong makalanghap ng
nakalalasong kemikal sa isang saradong
minahan sa aroroy
Masbate ang peligrong idinetalye ni
edimar hindi natakasan ng taong gulang
na si Angelo
[Musika]
pagkatapos may ahon n Ed ang mga tintik
na batong may ginto ibyahe ang mga sako
papunta sa gilingan ng
[Musika]
bato ang iba mano-manong dinudurog para
mas pinuhin ang mga
bato ang ibang mga bato idinaan sa
makina para mahiwalay ang ginto
gumagamit sila ng nakalalasong kemikal
ng
Mercury lubhang mapanganib sa kalusugan
ng Mercury maing maapektuhan ang utak
Bato baga kapag pumasok ito sa
katawan pwede ring malason ang isang
taong makalanghap ng usok nito pero si
edimar halos 10 taon nahahawakan at
nalalanghap ang Mercury dahil sa
kagustuhang makon ng
ginaganyan para yung mga gintong
lumulutang ngb lag ng tubig para yung
mga ano putik na hindi lakok yung maalis
dito para yung ano na lang yung ginto na
lang yung
[Musika]
mingan naiiwan yyan na yung mga Yung
maliliit na
k sunod namang luluto ang nasalang na
ginto gr
yan Yung ganitong kaliit umabot ito ng
ano 1.4 gr umabot ito ng ano pera namin
ano nasa
2,100
namin
Php100 ang presyo ng kada gramo ng
ginto sa 36 gr ng ginto na naipon ng
kanilang grupo sa sa loob ng tatlong
araw 40,000 Ang kinita nila
pinaghahati-hatian nila ito Ang kinita
ni Edmar Php2,000 o Php600 kada araw ng
pagsuong sa malalim at mapanganib na
hukay alam ni Edmar na buwis buhay ang
pagpasok sa mga
tunnel ang masaklap ang ilang minero
hindi na pinalad na makaahon pa ng buhay
mula sa butas ng
minahan ganito ang nangyari sa anak ni
Mang anacito na si Angelo aparejado 17
taong
gulang tatlong lalaki ang nasawi matapos
umanong makalanghap ng nakalalasong
kemikal sa isang saradong minahan sa
aroroy
Masbate tatlong minero ang namatay sa
aroroy Masbate tinawag na ako ng porman
kabong kabong yung si Anghelo nangyari
yung dalawa patay na sabi ko ha takbo
ako agad kasamang namatay ni Angelo sa
minahan ng ginto ang minero na si
cornelio credo lumabas sa imbestigasyon
ng mga pulis na nakalanghap ng
nakalalasong kemikal ang dalawang
minero kwento ni Mang anacito Dalawang
linggo pa lang na nagtatrabaho sa
minahan si Anghelo ng mangyari ang
insidente si Angelo Syempre bakasyon
pinapasok na lang nila doon Parang
parang makabili ng mga gamit pag-aral
Pinagsisihan ko kasi sinama ko siya kay
timbang buhay talaga kw niya saina eh
sipo mo Buhay ka pa p lilibing ka na sa
loob alam ni Edmar ang panganib na
kinakaharap niya sa paglusong sa mga
hukay pero sa ngayon ito lang daw ang
alam niyang paraan para matustusan ang
pangangailangan ng pamilya at para
makaipon upang muling makabalik sa
pag-aaral nanghihinayang din kasi nung
gumraduate ngayon yung mga ano ko
ka-batchmate ko yun nakita ko yung ano
abang ako na pumapasok dito sa minahan
ngayon sabi ko sana magtapos na lang din
ako sana nandon din ako sa batch meet
ko malungkot isipin na sa kabila ng
mapanganib at maghapong pagmimina tila
hindi naman sila Kumikita ng sapat sa
datos ng minds and geosciences Bureau o
mgb taong 2018 umabot sa 14.5 billiones
ang naminang ginto sa Masbate mula sa
large at small scale mining gaya kina
edimar ang mga ginong mula sa large
scale mining dinadala sa
Switzerland habang ang gintong mula sa
small scale mining ibinebenta naman sa
local market sa Luzon at Visayas pero sa
kabila ng pagiging Mayaman sa ginto
nananatiling isa sa pinakamahirap na
probinsya ang Masbate ayon na rin sa
Philippine statistics
authority sa bayan ng aroroy pangalawa
ang pagmimina sa pinagkukunan ng
kabuhayan ng mga
residente kasi ito lang dito sa masbati
yung priority na mahihirap nao e
trabahuan kung hindi construct yun
paning talaga pangisda yun lang pero ang
karamihan talaga pagmimina
dito ang problema Lubog rin sa utang ang
ilan sa kanila pagmimina kasi hindi
naman permeng makikita yun nakautang
tapos babayaran na sa susunod na agag
Pumasok naman ng ganyan operation namin
sa
buh kapit sa patalim siya no Kasi
imagine a family na yung magulang ay
walang kakayahan makakuha ng maayos na
trabaho dahil hindi siya nakapagtapos ng
pag-aaral ba sa pagmimina hindi
hinihingi yon alam nilang mapanganib ito
pero walang ibang
choice Marami talagang deposito ng goals
dito kaya syempre yung mga tao naghanap
naghahanap ng m pagkakakitaan Wala
namang ibang mapuntahan kasi yun nga sa
maraming n nagmimina maraming nagsm
scale miners ganyan Ano ang iba diyan
kaya magbungkal ng lupa hindi n gagawin
yun kasi mas mas madaling hanapin ung
pera dahil sa ginto ang ginagawa naman
ng mro yata ngayon is parang ini-invest
lang nila yung pero hindi sa regulation
talaga parang walang L tayong magagawa
sa
ganon kinakailangan na ang mga small
scale miners ay nakapaloob sila sa isang
minahang bayan ito Bale ang Kinikilala
na legal ng ng gobyerno sa atin s
kasalukuyan ano maraming percentage ang
tinatawag natin na pag informal illegal
sila na mga small scale no at gusto ng
gobyerno natin na tulungan sila na
ma-alala ng pag-asa katunayan nag-exam
siya para muling makapasok sa
Alternative Learning System o ALS
[Musika]
[Musika]
sa bawat Pababa edimar sa
butas isang pa nila ang nasa
hukay sa paglusong niya sa malalim na
minahan umaasa siyang darating ang
panahon tuluyan siyang makakaahon Hindi
naman siguro Ganito na lang maganda yung
trabaho
gaong malak sahod Basta hindi masyado
ganito buhis buhay
pagina Hanggang sa susunod na hbes ako
si
pulido ako si Jun at ito nakatala sa
aming
[Musika]
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