Life Experiences of Mga Batang Ginto (Child Miners) in Paracale, Camarines Norte, Philippines: Tradición, Inspiración, Explotación y Aspiración

This study aimed to document the life experiences of child miners (CM) engaged in small-scale gold mining system (SSGMS) in Paracale. It employed ethnographic approaches, and sociological theories to understand their involvement as CM. Key informants were purposively selected from three Barangays.

Findings revealed that the SSGMS started even before the Spanish period. Two types of SSGMS (pagkakabod) – pagbibitâ (underground mining), and pagkocompressor (underwater mining) – were identified. Both employed CM and had common organizational structure and lax policies. Differences were in the nature of work, roles and functions, costs and income, equipment, and mining processes.

Majority of the CM are males, out-of-school youth, the eldest children, and have worked from two months to nine years. Personal and altruistic factors, which may be a source of inspiration, motivated them to engage on it. They deemed their families as poor, more difficult than other families, and mining as either their primary means of livelihood, family tradition, or bonding time with their friends. Their income is below World Bank’s poverty threshold. Some claimed no work-related problems, but others admitted simple to life threatening challenges and harmful effects.

Only two aspired to have permanent employment and finish their studies. The rest considered studying as a waste of time and not financially rewarding. They also hoped to give their families a good life, send their siblings to school, and for a progressive and peaceful community. They identified perseverance and hard work as means to realize their aspirations.

With their experiences that create and include exploitation, lack of labor protection, destitution, frustration, and adaptation - devoid of developing their human potentials, their case is indeed a social concern. Espousing social development and community organizing frameworks, good governance, holistic alternative livelihood and learning system may minimize, if not end, the plight of mga batang ginto.