BENGUET FEDERATION OF SMALL-SCALE MINERS, INC.’S (BFSSMI) BEST PRACTICES RECOGNIZED

August 3, 2024 Community Billboard

National Coalition of Small-Scale Miners 5th Assembly

NATIONAL COALITION OF SMALL-SCALE MINERS 5TH ASSEMBLY

Delegates from Benguet Federation of Small-Scale Miners,Inc. (BFSSMI) listen attentively during the presentation of Policy Brief and legislative agenda during the recent Coalition’s assembly hosted by Camarines Norte’s small-scale mining associations held at Altheas Dreamland’s Resort in San Lorenzo Ruiz, Camarines Norte.

Photo by Primo P. Agatep/ABN

SAN LORENZO RUIZ, Camarines Norte Benguet Federation of Small-Scale Miners,Inc. (BFSSMI) got the respect and recognition from leaders of the Coalition, small-scale mining associations across the country ,and several stakeholders, by presenting its Best Practices in mining and environmental protection programs. These environmental protection programs include— tree planting, clean-up drives in their respective mining communities, river systems, and also social projects.

The coalition also expressed it’s gratitude to the late Engineer Lomino Kaniteng, past president of BFSSMI and one of the co-founders of the coalition for the latter’s contribution in steering the group, promoting its advocacies and programs ,on top fighting the rights and welfare of small scale miners and their families. Delegates from BFSSMI
are — Alfred Bugnosen BFSSMI executive vice president , representing Ucab Indigenous Community Livelihood Association (UICLA); Allan Sabiano of Dontog Manganese Pocket Miners Association (DOMAPMA); Ricardo Liwayan of Nay-en Talu-an Small-Scale Miners Asso., Inc (NTSSMAI); Angie Sugalan of Sugalan Clan Small Scale Miners Association / Goldstream Pocket Miners Asso/ Kilbasen Mariano SSM; Luciano Manuel of Dalicno Small Scale Miners Asso (DASSMA); Desiree Luis of Otek Pocket Miners Asso (OPMA); Warlito Jacinto of Suyoc-Taneg Indigenous Livelihood Asso (STILA Mankayan).

Dozens of pocket miners from over 30 mining associations and federations across the country ,including some financiers gathered from July 25-26, 2024 at Altheas Dreamland’s Resort here to push for the amendments of
Republic Act 7076- People’s Mining Law and strengthening of the coalition. In solidarity to a fellow Cordilleran, delegates from BFSSMI including pocket miners from Sagada , Mt Province and a token from Baguio City, voted Leoncio Na oy ,becoming Board of Director (BOD) ,who eventually selected as Chairman of the Board, but the latter was observed to be short in demonstrating humility and gratitude to those who supported him in the process.

BFSSMI and other delegates from the Cordillera thanked host Camarines Norte small-scale miners, financiers, the local government of Camarines Norte, sponsors, and volunteers for their assistance and support, on top for staging the national assembly with the theme “Ginto ng Bayan para sa Bayan: Pagbabagong Batas at Programa sa Maliitang
Pagmimina Isakatuparan (The Nation’s Gold for the People: Reform Laws and Programs for Small-Scale Mining Now). In the assembly, aside pushing for the amendments of RA 7076, the Coalition also seek to address the exorbitant cost of formalizing a Minahang Bayan (People’s Mining Area), the limited validity of mining contracts, and the alleged bureaucratic red tape that prevents small-scale gold miners from operating legally and profitably.

‘Outdated and large-scale biased legislation have trapped thousands of subsistence miners in cycles of debt and
mercury dependence. The lack of government support for mercury-free technology further drives the use of
mercury. The high cost of investment in cyanide plants renders this safer alternative inaccessible to poverty-driven
small-scale mining associations,” Arleen Honrade of BAN Toxics’ Community Development Unit, and the Coalition
secretary said, in a release. In a press conference, newly elected Coalition President Josephine Balonga of the
Maguan Clan Small-Scale Miners Association (MCSSMA) said that she would take the challenge in the next two years to improve the welfare of the small-scale mining sector.

“We will expand the coalition’s membership and work towards formalizing more small-scale mining operations and
contracts, and promoting sustainable mining practices.” The coalition (NCSSMPI) was founded in 2016 at the
Artisanal Small-Scale Gold Miners Summit, hosted by the environmental justice organization BAN Toxics, which
has served as the secretariat of the Coalition and the national assembly since its formation.

Primo Agatep/ABN