Emerald’s small-scale miners start silvercraft training

March 9, 2020 Metro BLISTT

BAGUIO CITY- The Emerald Small-Scale Miners Multi-Purpose Cooperative, based in this Summer Capital has embarked an ambitious alternative livelihood project- silvercraft making.

On Monday (March 2), a dozen pocket miners, who are members of the said group including their wives, sons and daughters , and relatives, begun a 10-day hands on basic training on silvercraft.

Leoncio Na-oy, chairman of the Emerald Small-Scale Miners Multi-Purpose Cooperative said the alternative livelihood program was initiated by their association.

“The program aims to provide our miners and their immediate family members the basic skills in silvercraft making,” said Na-oy, who is also the representative of the City Mining Regulatory Board (CMRB), representing the Baguio Federation of SmallScale Miners.

“It is our association’s hope that our member-trainees could acquire a national certificate – certificate of competency from the government through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).”

“Our association also wants to see our members to be competitive on their endeavor,”said Na-oy, stressing that the program is an added-value towards maintaining their small-scale mining operations (PMA-Kias).

The trainees are taught of the essential techniques such as metal sawing, piercing, filing, texturing, forming, soldering, polishing and stone setting. Ilocano master silversmith, Max Aromin is the designated trainer and ably assisted by Joshua Marinas, who are both from Pilak Silver Shop.

Actually, the 10-day hands on training program was actualized through a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between Emerald SmallScale Miners Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Pilak Silver Shop& Gift Shop, and TESDA Baguio/Benguet.

Based on the partnership forged, the host small-scale miners’ group shall identify the trainees; provide venue and training materials and some tools. Also the association is required to submit a training report.

Pilak Silver Shop, represented by its manager, Rommel Marcelo, shall designate a trainor, who will conduct the training.

While TESDA is required to conduct monitor and evaluation and provide honorarium for the trainer, among others.

Primo Agatep/ABN