Life Experiences of Child Miners in Paracale, Camarines Norte, Philippines: Tradición, Inspiración, Explotación y Aspiración
Human Rights for Children and Youth
ISBN: 978-1-78973-048-7, eISBN: 978-1-78973-047-0
Publication date: 7 October 2019
Abstract
This study aimed to document the life experiences of child miners (CMs) engaged in small-scale gold mining system (SSGMS) in Paracale using qualitative and ethnographic approaches. Findings revealed that the SSGMS started even before the Spaniards came in 1572. Pagbibitâ (underground mining), and pagkocompressor (underwater mining) were identified as types of SSGMS (pagkakabod) with common organizational structure and CMs. Their differences were in the nature of work, roles, costs, income, equipment, and processes. Majority of the CMs are males, out-of-school youth, eldest children, and have worked from two months to nine years. Altruistic factors, a source of inspiración, motivated them to engage on mining. They view their families as poor, and mining as their primary means of livelihood and family tradición. Their life threatening or work-related risks and impoverished living conditions unquestionably infringe their children’s rights. Their aspiración include having permanent employment, better family life and community, finishing their studies, and sending their siblings to school. Perseverance and hard work are their means to realize them.
Their experiences of labour explotación and destitution are indeed social issues. Espousing social development and community organizing frameworks, good governance, holistic alternative livelihood and learning system may minimize their plight as child miners.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Acknowledgements
My heartfelt gratitude to the following agencies and/or persons:
Mga Batang Ginto (child miners) and their parents, all the adult miners for sharing their stories, and Local Government Unit and Barangay Officials of Paracale, Camarines Norte, Philippines for giving us the permission and the guidance in gathering data for this book;
Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Miralles & Family of Paracale, Camarines Norte for letting us stay in their abode for weeks, and for providing us food and security during our stay;
my former professors, Dr. Ramon Felipe Sarmiento, Research Director of Catanduanes State University and Philippine Women’s University (PWU) PhD in Social Development Program Professor, and Dr. Angelito Manalili, PWU PhD in Social Development Program Coordinator, Professorial Lecturer and former Dean of University of the Philippines (UP) – Diliman College of Social Work and Community Development, for all their heartfelt and invaluable suggestions, efforts, assistance and resource materials; and Dr. Raul Pertierra, Professor of Anthropology, UP Diliman, and Dr. Kristina A.S. Benitez, PWU Vice-president for Academic Affairs, for all their significant inputs;
my Department of Sociology, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, Bicol University Family, especially Prof. Glenton Guiriba, for the financial and moral support and Prof. Katherine Evasco, for helping me write the stories;
my research assistants and students, Alvie Belesta, Rogel Christian Capili, Jeyson Miralles, Rachel Balbalosa, Mikee Baria, Joyce del Rosario, Rose Ann Letada, and Rea-Lyn Pria, for all the research assistance;
my surviving family members, Mr. Aino Balce Rafer, my father, and Agnes, my sister, as well as my departed loved ones, Mrs. Leticia Tijam Rosana-Rafer, my mother, and Joel, my brother (may they both rest in peace), for being the ‘wind beneath my wings’; and to my ever dearest loving partner, Go, for all the moral, emotional, spiritual, physical and financial support during my entire research; and
most of all, to God, for giving me all the blessings in life, more particularly the opportunity to write and complete this chapter, and for keeping me, Go, and my research assistants safe all throughout our journey to and fro Paracale, Camarines Norte, Philippines.
Citation
Rafer, N.R. (2019), "Life Experiences of Child Miners in Paracale, Camarines Norte, Philippines: Tradición, Inspiración, Explotación y Aspiración", Human Rights for Children and Youth (Sociological Studies of Children and Youth, Vol. 24), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 151-179. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1537-466120190000024008
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019 Emerald Publishing Limited