The revitalization of the Philippine mining industry may not be a welcome policy development to everyone. Allegations that mining is detrimental to the environment and people's right to life and that it has adverse social impact far outweigh its promised economic benefits.

We could not argue more about these sentiments. Here is not looking through the hole in the doughnut

but taking into consideration the potential investments that can be gained from the revival of the mining sector in the Philippines, the potential of mining to contribute to sustainable economic growth in the country, and the potential of mining to provide decent and productive work to Filipinos.

Prepared in February for the 2006 National Manpower Summit, this thinks paper explores the labor and employment prospects for Filipinos in the mining sector. It provides a greater picture of the mining industry in terms of labor supply and demand for the next five years and offers information that can be an essential starting point for policymakers to develop mining policies within the context od sustainable development and decent work.

Mining is identified in the Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan as one the key employment generators (KEGs) in the country. It is in this consideration that the mining sector, along with the cyber-services, health services, hotel and restaurant, agribusiness, medical tourism, creative industries, aviation and overseas employment , was given emphasis during the Manpower Summit. The Summit aimed to formulate a deliberate action plan that would ensure that 1) jobs with specific competencies and are in demand at present, in the short term and the medium term are identified; 2) linkages between schools, training institutions and industry are working; and the types of workers needed by emerging industries in the country and the rest of the world are generated.

These objectives are very well reflected in this monograph . therefore , we fervently hope that this could shape a common vision among the private sector, government and civil society to fully revitalize the Philippine mining industry, under the principles of fostering economic growth and ensure decent and productive work for workers.