SUGALAN CLAN, GOLDSTREAM POCKET MINERS PLANT HOPE

August 20, 2022 Community Billboard

Planting trees for future generation is fast becoming the battle cry of pocket miners belonging to Sugalan Clan and Goldstream Small-Scale mining associations in Sitios Balococ and Goldstream, respectively, a geographically isolated villages of Barangay Camp 4, Tuba, Benguet.

Angie Sugalan, president of Sugalan Clan SSM, said dozens of pocket miners of Sugalan Clan and Goldstream small-scale mining associations, villagers of Balococ and Goldstream, youth
and women’s groups Harmonious Christian Women’s Association headed by Fe Milo and Tuba Grasroots Store
Farmers and Livelihood Association led by Gloria Gawiden, actively participated in the recent (Aug. 13) separate
tree planting activity.

About 500 different species of fruit bearing trees like-avocado, guyabano, manggo, among others were planted on a two-hectare separate steep areas , which is inside the Minahang Bayan (MB) applications by the two associations and with adjoining area being applied by Kilbasen Mariano Small-Scale Mining Association, Inc. (KMSSMI) Native bamboo and ipil-ipil trees were also planted.

Years, trees like mahogany and melina were planted in various sections of the mountains surrounding their village, at a distance views Mt. Ulap (Itogon)—a popular trekking area for nature lovers. At the summit, one can feel and touch the “sea of clouds.”

Sugalan, currently the treasurer of Benguet Federation of Small-Scale Miners, Inc. (BFSSMI) ,said their tree planting activities, which both SSM associations (Sugalan -Goldstream) do almost yearly is in support of the government environmental efforts as well as the Municipality of Tuba and BFSSMI. “As much as we recognize small-scale mining as livelihood, we would like to also ensure the protection of our future generations against environmental risks and ecological scarcities,” said Sugalan in the vehicular.

Sugalan stressed the scenic mountains clad with different species of trees surrounding their village(s) are their main source of water. Sandy Asmin, former kagawad of Barangay Camp 4, now treasurer of Goldstream SSM also led his group and some villagers of Goldstream in the said activity. Asmin represented David Tomilas, president (Goldstream) who begged off due to earlier commitments.

Alfred Bugnosen, executive vice president of BFSSMI, representing the federation, a member of the National Coalition of Small-Scale Miners in the country, also participated in the tree planting. “Protecting our environment…such as tree planting and clean-up drives being undertaken by our member associations such asSugalan Clan and Goldstream bring hope for everyone, Bugnosen said in the vernacular.

Bugnosen added: “The energy and excitement showed by Sugalan Clan and Goldstream SSM shall serve as inspiration to other pocket mining groups in caring the environment.” Some members of the adjoining pocket mining group, Kilbasen Mariano Small-Scale Mining Association, Inc. (KMSSMI) also shared their time and effort in planting.

Primo Agatep/ABN