(Reuters) — Pristine waterfalls and crystal clear lagoons may soon be the new economic drivers in the southern Philippines as the government continues its crackdown on erring mines.
Attracting hundreds of Filipino and foreign visitors a day, tourist spots Tinuy-an Waterfalls and Enchanted River in the southern province of Surigao Del Sur are among the eco-tourism destinations marked for development by the environment ministry to provide alternative livelihoods for mining communities.
Environment and Natural Resources Minister Regina Lopez has promised billions of pesos of aid for those affected by the government’s crackdown after she ordered 23 out of the country’s 41 mines to shutdown and cancelled at least 75 contracts to build new ones.
The move has been met with vocal criticism from miners and affected communities who raise fears about massive unemployment and economic impact.
But at the Tinuy-an Waterfalls, project head Everlee Viola told Reuters eco-tourism can compensate for the loss of mines when they are developed, claiming that their current scale of operations has been enough to sustain the livelihoods of three villages in their community.
Around 100,000 people visit the waterfalls annually and that number is projected to double this year. The popularity of the waterfalls has prompted businessmen to set up shops nearby, further bolstering their economy. Tourism earned the area about 225,000 USD in income.
Both Tinuy-an Waterfalls and another attraction, Enchanted River, gain revenue through entrance fees, boat rides and cottage rentals.
At the Enchanted River, tourism brought in about 326,000 USD last year from the approximate 100,000 visitors it recieived.
Forester Rudy Francisco said the eco-tourism site has given jobs to at least 210 boatmen and staff from three nearby villages since opening in 2011 and welcomes the promised help from the environment ministry, adding that the lagoon must be protected from degrading activities like mining.
“We really can’t mine this place because many things will be affected, especially our marine life and the nearby villages. So we really need to preserve the environment so the next generation will have a bright future,” he said.
Tourism contributes almost a tenth of the Philippines’ gross domestic product, according to a government report. Lopez said she plans to boost the industry by building roads and various infrastructure to eco-tourism destinations.
Dozens of kilometers away, nickel mine SR Metals Incorporated (SRMI) continues its operations, unhampered by Lopez’ shutdown orders.
SRMI Tenement Officer Jun Belen said the mine complied with all of the government’s environmental regulations, including the mandatory rehabilitation of the areas they mined.
Boasting multiple awards and accreditation from the International Organization for Standardization, SRMI has been extracting nickel ore in Agusan Del Norte province since 2006 with the help of at least 1,800 miners.
He said Lopez needs to understand that not all mines are destructive.
“We believe that each and every mine has a different characteristic from another mine. Our host communities are different, our indigenous people are different, our environment is different from each and other mine. And we believe that a dialogue, a specific dialogue for a specific mine will give madam Gina (Lopez) a better understanding of how we live according to our environment,” he said.
The Philippines has been the world’s top supplier of nickel ore since 2014, when Indonesia banned exports of unprocessed minerals. Philippine Chamber of Mines director Artemio Disini said the closure of mining firms will affect over 1.2 million people and impact the economy.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has publicly supported Lopez’s crackdown, but on Friday (February 17) he said he will review his minister’s shutdown orders.
Lopez has said she will not fight Duterte’s eventual decision, believing him to be a “man of principle.”
