Pitfalls and Pipelines - Philippine Indigenous Peoples Links

Chapter 1.1: Overview of Impacts of Extractive Industries on Indigenous Peoples
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Throughout the many years of corporate mining in Benguet, indigenous
women did not have access to any of its “benefits” like employment, as
it is the men who are employed. These men are usually migrants from
outside of the community. Because of the displacement of traditional
livelihood sources, women are forced to look for other sources of income
such as vegetable farming, vending and other odd jobs to augment
the family income. The lack of sustainable livelihood opportunities and
destruction of the natural resources and environment in their communities
have forced indigenous women to scout for odd jobs in Baguio City. Many
women have applied as overseas contract workers where they become
vulnerable to different forms of abuse.
Environmental destruction, drying up of water sources, collapse of
underground tunnels, massive landslides, ground subsidence, and
pollution due to mining has burdened indigenous women with additional
efforts in looking for alternative food sources and clean water. The burden
has fallen on them as they are primarily responsible for maintenance of
the household, the family and community health.
In large-scale mines, mineworkers’ housing facilities are far from ideal.
Bunkhouses are often cramped and crowded and lacking in basic services
like electricity and clean water. The very limited sources of clean water as
a result of the mining operations have led to disputes and quarrels. With
the limited wages of husbands employed by the mine, and non-payment
of back wages and benefits by the mining company, it falls upon the
women to troubleshoot, stretching the family budget.
Corporate mining has intruded into the sustainable and peaceful way of
life in indigenous communities. For indigenous women in particular, the
traditional roles and responsibilities of women have become marginalized
as the communities became more dependent on the cash-based economy
created by mine development. This economic shift also results in outside
culture and influences that erode traditional culture, and cultivate antisocial
activities like gambling and prostitution. There have also been
incidents of drug addiction, incest, wife-swapping and infidelity, including
an increasing rate of domestic violence against women.
Indigenous women bear additional burdens of economic dislocation,
displacement, land dispossession, deprivation and violation of ancestral
land rights due to corporate mining. The intrusion of outside culture
brought about by mining has led to the disintegration of indigenous
society and culture, manifested in the weakening of traditional values
that are important in maintaining and sustaining peace and order in the
communities, clans and families.