Ph mining is mine: probing Chinese mining companies and their multi-sectoral effect on Philippine communities

Abstract

The Chinese have had a steady presence in the Philippines ever since it has started its initiatives to globalize and improve its trade, commerce, and industries. The Duterte Administration has signified a new era of Philippine-Chinese relations wherein certain portions of country's political, social, and economic aspects have been tied and are under the influence of China. One of the discrete yet significant involvements of China in the country is in the mining industry. Aside from the macro-effects of this on the economy and over-all development of the country, there is a need to be able to identify and consolidate the effects of these firms to the grassroots and community level. In this study, the several factors and stakeholders in the issue of Chinese mining in the Philippines were examined by the researcher. The methodology involves the mixed-method design wherein quantitative and qualitative data from various sources are compared by the researcher to come up with generalizations. Through a purposive sampling design, the researcher was able to interview several residents from each community. The researcher was able to obtain primary data by conducting fieldworks in three mining areas respectively situated in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao and from the data provided for by various offices and institutions. The method of triangulation was used in order to verify the information and to take note of the inconsistencies among the various sources of information. The researcher synthesized the various facets which led to the current face of Chinese mining in the country. On a macro scale, Chinese mining companies are not able to significantly contribute to the economy of the country due to the import-oriented and export-oriented type of economy in the country. In actuality, the have negative impacts on the environment, governance, and development in the communities involved. Various factors were found to affect the people's perception and actions taken against mining in different areas. The degree of organizing in the community was seen to be a vital component in formulating the community's response to China's booming mining industry in the Philippines. With the data gathered, the researcher has crafted various recommendations for the mining companies, the government, and the community. Moreover, the indicators of development were used in order to provide more concrete policy and development recommendations with regards to the mining industry in the country.