Image from http://notoirresponsiblemining.blogspot.com
It has always been my dream to travel the world. But as I grow older, I had a clear view of what I should do first: discover my country, know how it works and preserve it just as it was handed to us by its Maker. I have been to Iloilo, Bohol, Ilocos, Mindoro, Batangas, Davao, etc. and I have yet to see  Palawan soon. I was in awe of its beauty, but somehow, there are companies who would do anything for a living, even if it means that my beloved country and its territory is at stake.

Just recently, I came across an article about the Energy Development Corporation at the Manila Standard Today and heard of the landslide in its geothermal facility in Leyte where 14 workers died. Fourteen! Wouldn't you be enraged? Its hard enough to care for the country, but to sacrifice the workers' lives are even disheartening. The Lopez-owned corporation ought to follow the same rules as the other companies. They should be aware that even if they paid the land that they're working on, they should be liable for the destruction, let alone be responsible for the people who are affected by their lack of safety. 

But what's more dreary about this issue is how Ms. Gina Lopez, an advocate on the mining in Palawan talks about saving the environment, while her family is into the business itself. And if that's the real score, why is the government making this look like they're playing favorites? It is still because of the long time "utang na loob" of the Aquinos to the Lopezes? 

And if not, why did the Semirara Coal and Mining Company got an immediate suspension when their company caused the landslide in their area? Is politics still running the game to the expense of ruining the environment?

I just hope that the mining issue, and all other environmental problems be a top priority for the environmentalist groups and the soon to be leaders of the country. Its never too late to solve a problem that's been going on for years, if we put the people who genuinely cares for the country. Do you think that the 2013 elections will change how things run around?

That I hope so. Or let's just say goodbye to the future of our generation and the latter.