Opportunities and pitfalls of mining in the Philippines
Channel: The Poverty-Environment Initiative
Date: 02/07/2013

As of 2009, despite the country's last decade positive economic growth, 26.5% of its population or 25 million Filipinos were still living under the poverty line. 75% of those were living in rural or mar- ginalized areas. They depend disproportionately on natural resources and are thus more vulnerable to environmental degradation. Mining industries and renewable energy generation represent a clear link between poverty and environment. Although nat- ural resources have been identified nationally as an important growth driver and the country is 5th most mineral-rich in the world, this sector has yet to con- tribute significantly to economic growth and human development.