BIBLIOGRAPHY DACNES, MARICEL V. APRIL ...
BIBLIOGRAPHY
DACNES, MARICEL V. APRIL 2013. Gold Panning in Tinongdan, Itogon,
Benguet. An assessment. Benguet State University, La Trinidad, Benguet.
Adviser: Jamesly T. Andres, Msc.
ABSTRACT
The study was conducted in Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet with 50 respondents who
were engaged on gold panning. It was conducted to determine the reasons why the
respondents are engaged in gold panning, the family members who are involved in the
various processes of gold panning, where do they use the money they earn from gold
panning, and the problems encountered by the respondents on gold panning.
Majority of the respondents were male and married. In educational attainment most
of the respondents did not finish formal education and most of the respondents belong to
the older age bracket. Result showed that most of the respondents had been engaged in
gold panning for 1 to 10 years. Majority of the respondents claimed that their average
production of gold is from 1 to 3 grams in a week depending on their ability to work. An
average income of 1000 to 3000 pesos can be produced depending on the price of gold in
the market.
The results revealed that gold panning is the main source of income among the
residents of Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet. The other reasons why the respondents engaged
in gold panning were as follows: it requires low cost of investment and gives high return
Gold Panning in Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet. An assessment |
DACNES, MARICEL V. APRIL 2013
in a short period of time, it improves standard of living, and it is a good source of capital
for farming activities.
The findings showed that fathers were more involved in panning than the other
member of the family because of their strength and endurance. On the processing of gold,
fathers were more knowledgeable and in the marketing, mothers were the ones who sell
the gold. Gold panning promotes closer family ties among panners by helping each other
to work on the various processes of gold panning.
The respondents claimed that the money they earned from gold panning was used
for basic needs of the family. Other uses enumerated in descending order by the
respondents were as follows: for buying clothes and paying credits, for buying medicines
and for paying the school fees of their children and for house construction.
As for the problems encountered in gold panning, majority of the respondents
experienced body pains and most of them experienced over fatigue and skin infections. Air
pollution due to the use of chemical in the processing of gold is claimed to be the most
common problem in the environment due to improper use and handling. In terms of the
social problem, majority claimed that the migration of people is brought about by gold
panning.
Gold Panning in Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet. An assessment |
DACNES, MARICEL V. APRIL 2013
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Background Information about the Respondents
Table 1 presents the background information about the respondents as to their
gender, age, civil status, educational attainment and the number of years in gold panning.
As shown in Table 1, majority of the respondents (66%) were males involved in
gold panning activities. There were more males involved in gold panning since it is a very
laborious activity where physical strength is needed; 31% of the respondents were females
that were involved in gold panning.
Most of the respondents involved were from 51 – 60 years old, followed by 41 –
50 years old. This shows that most of the respondents were middle age and they preferred
to do gold panning as their source of income.
Majority of the respondents were married. Out of the fifty respondents 34 were
married, 11 were single and 5 were widows. This implies that married people were engaged
in gold panning because they need more money to support their family.
As to the educational attainment, 56 % of the respondents had elementary
education. 42 % were able to reach high school level of education and only 2 % had finished
college. This shows that most of the respondents lost interest in going to formal education
because they were engross with gold panning.
Forty percent of the respondents had been engaged in gold panning for 1 – 10 years,
28% for 11 –20 years experience in gold panning. It showed that majority of the
respondents were experienced gold panners. This implies that they preferred gold panning
as their source of income to support their family.
Gold Panning in Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet. An assessment |
DACNES, MARICEL V. APRIL 2013
Table 1: Background information about the respondents
PARTICULARS
NO. OF RESPONDENTS
PERCENTAGE
Gender
Male
33
6
Female
17
31
TOTAL
50
100
Age
20 – 30
10
20
31 – 40
5
10
41 – 50
13
26
51 – 60
19
38
61 - 70
3
6
TOTAL
50
100
Civil Status
Single
11
22
Married
34
68
Widow
5
10
TOTAL
50
100
Gold Panning in Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet. An assessment |
DACNES, MARICEL V. APRIL 2013
Table 1. continued …
PARTICULARS
NO. OF RESPONDENTS
PERCENTAGE
Elementary
28
56
High School
21
42
College
1
2
TOTAL
50
100
No. of Years in Gold Panning
1 - 10
20
40
11 - 20
14
28
21 - 30
8
16
31 - 40
6
12
41 - 50
2
4
TOTAL
50
100
Reasons for Engaging in Gold Panning.
As shown in Table 2, most of the respondents (74 %) claimed to have engaged in
gold panning because it provides employment. The other reasons, as enumerated by the
respondents, in a descending order of preference were as follows: it requires low
investment cost and gives high return in a short period of time, it improves standard of
living, and it is a good source of capital for farming activities.
Results of the study imply that gold panning is a good source of income and it caters
to the needs of the people in the rural areas. The findings relate to the claim of Andres
(1997) that mining plays a major role in the national economy in terms of employment
Gold Panning in Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet. An assessment |
DACNES, MARICEL V. APRIL 2013
generation. It has great positive contributions to both economy and development of the
communities.
Table 2: Reasons for Engaging in Gold Panning
NO.
OF PERCENTAGE
REASONS
RESPONDENTS
(%)
Provides Employment
37
74
Improves Standard of Living
12
24
Provides Capitalization for Farming Activities
4
8
Source of Income
42
84
Low Investment and Short Implementation Period 14
28
*Multiple Responses
Average Production of Gold per Week.
As shown in Table 3, most of the respondents (76%) claimed to have an average
production of gold from one to three grams a week. Other respondents claimed that their
average production of gold in a week is from four to six grams, seven to nine grams in a
week and ten grams
The finding implies that production of gold is dependent on the ability of the gold
panner to extract gold from the river. Gold panning is a laborious activity where physical
strength is needed, this means that you have a better chance of getting more gold when you
are physically fit. According to the respondents they can also get more gold when they
work for longer hours as long as they can tolerate the heat of the sun. They also claimed
that they get more gold after there is heavy rain or after typhoons because of the runoff
from the mines.
Gold Panning in Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet. An assessment |
DACNES, MARICEL V. APRIL 2013
Table 3: Average Production of Gold per week
AVERAGE PRODUCTION (grams) NO. OF RESPONDENTS PERCENTAGE (%)
1 -3
38
76
4 - 6
9
18
7 - 9
2
4
10 and above
1
2
TOTAL
50
100
Average Income.
Majority of the respondents claimed that their average income from gold panning
is from Php 1,000 to 3,000 per week. Followed by respondents who claimed that they have
an average income of Php 4, 000 to 6, 000 per week. Only few claimed that they can have
an income of Php 7, 000 to 9, 000 per week.
The result implies that they are earning an amount just enough to sustain their
family needs. The respondents claimed that the income they get depends on the prevailing
price of gold in the market.
Gold Panning in Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet. An assessment |
DACNES, MARICEL V. APRIL 2013
Table 4: Average Income
AVERAGE INCOME(Php)
NO. OF RESPONDENTS
PERCENTAGE (%)
1,000 - 3,000
26
52
4,000 - 6,000
21
42
7,000 - 9,000
2
4
10,000 and above
1
2
TOTAL
50
100
How they Use their Money Earned
from Gold Panning
As shown in Table 5, all the respondents claimed that the money they generated
from gold panning is primarily use to buy food. Other uses enumerated in descending order
by the respondents were as follows: for buying clothes and paying credits, for buying
medicines and for paying the school fees of their children and for house construction.
The findings imply that most of the earnings of the respondents from gold panning
is for buying mainly the basic needs of the family. The finding supports the claim of Punay
(2004) that most of the families believed that the gold they get from mining is God’s gift
that has to be taken to meet their needs.
Gold Panning in Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet. An assessment |
DACNES, MARICEL V. APRIL 2013
Table 5: Usage of Money Earned from Gold Panning
USES
NO. OF RESPONDENTS
PERCENTAGE (%)
For buying food
50
100
For buying clothes
31
62
For buying medicines
27
54
For house construction
11
22
For paying school fees of children 27
54
For paying credits
31
62
*Multiple Response
Family Involvement in the Various
Processes of Gold Panning
Family involvement in the various processes of gold panning as to panning,
processing, and marketing as shown in Table 6.
Most of the respondents claimed that fathers were more involved in gold panning
than the mothers or other members of the family because of their strength and endurance.
This finding relates to the claim of Pena (2002) that small scale gold mining is an activity
that relies on manual labor.
As shown in Table 6 most of the respondents claimed that the fathers were involved
in the processing of gold. It implies that fathers were more knowledgeable on how to
process gold.
In marketing, majority of the respondents claimed that mothers were the ones who
sell the gold. It showed that mothers were trusted to handle marketing of gold.
Gold Panning in Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet. An assessment |
DACNES, MARICEL V. APRIL 2013
Gold panning activities promotes cooperation among families. The respondents
claimed that gold panning activities needs a full cooperation among family members to
facilitate the panning and processing of gold.
Table 6.Family Involvement in the Various Processes of Gold Panning
PARTICULAR NO. OF RESPONDENTS
PERCENTAGE (%)
Panning
Father
37
74
Mother
22
44
Children
11
22
Multiple Response
Processing
Father
35
70
Mother
11
22
Children
10
20
Multiple Response
Marketing
Father
24
48
Mother
33
66
Children
17
34
Multiple Response
Gold Panning in Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet. An assessment |
DACNES, MARICEL V. APRIL 2013
Problems Encountered in Gold Panning.
Health problems were common to all of the respondents. Body pain was mentioned
by 98% of the respondents and over fatigue was another complaint 72 % of gold panners
since it is a laborious work. Other problems were skin infections and respiratory illnesses.
This shows that gold panning had several health hazards.
With regard to the environmental problems that can be derived from gold panning,
most of the respondents (74 %) claimed that air pollutants were due to the use of chemical
(nitric acid) used in the processing of gold as major environmental problem. According to
the respondents air pollution due to the use of chemical during the processing of gold is
not only an environmental problem but it also affects their health. They also mentioned
widening of river banks (58%), water pollution (22%) and siltation as contributors to
environmental problems as a result of gold panning..
On the social problems, majority of the respondents claimed that migration of
people (58%) is a major problem brought about by gold panning. Other problems were
deterioration of peace and order and increase in the number of out of school youth. The
result implies that gold panning induce migration of people in the community. Gold rush
attracted migrants to try their luck. Several problems of physical injuries were recorded
due to the drunkenness and misunderstanding among gold panners. According to the
respondents there was an increase in number of out of school youth since they prefer to
venture in gold panning and leave school.
Gold Panning in Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet. An assessment |
DACNES, MARICEL V. APRIL 2013
Table 7. Problems Encountered in Gold Panning
PROBLEMS
NO. OF RESPONDENTS
PERCENTAGE (%)
Health Problems
Respiratory Illness 4
8
Skin Infection
31
62
Over Fatigue
36
72
Body Pains
49
98
Multiple Response
Environmental Problems
Water Pollution
11
22
Widening of River
27
54
Siltation
5
10
Air Pollution
37
74
Multiple Response
Social Problems
Migration people 29
58
Peace and Order
17
34
Increase no. of 11
22
Osy
Multiple Response
Gold Panning in Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet. An assessment |
DACNES, MARICEL V. APRIL 2013
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Summary
Majority of the respondents were male and married. In educational attainment most
of the respondents did not finished formal education and most of the respondents belong
to the older bracket. Result showed that most of the respondents had been engaged in gold
panning for 1 to 10 years. Majority of the respondents claimed that their average production
of gold is from 1 to 3 grams in a week depending on their ability to work. An average
income of 1000 to 3000 pesos can be produced depending on the prevailing price of gold.
All of the respondents claimed that the money they earned from gold panning is used for
buying the basic needs of the family.
The result revealed that gold panning is the main source of income of the
respondents. Gold panning promotes closer family ties among panners by helping each
other to work on the various processes of gold panning. The respondents claimed that the
money they earned from gold panning was mainly used for basic needs of the family.
As for the problems encountered in gold panning, majority of the respondents
experienced body pains, over fatigue and skin infections. Air pollution was due to the
chemical used in the processing of gold. These were the most common problems that
results to serious threat in the environment. In terms of the social problem, majority
claimed that the migration of people was due to gold panning activities where people from
other places engaged in gold panning in Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet.
Gold Panning in Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet. An assessment |
DACNES, MARICEL V. APRIL 2013
Conclusions
The following conclusions were drawn based on the findings:
1. Gold panning is the main source of income of the people in Tinongdan.
2. Gold panning provides livelihood to the respondents and it promotes closer family
ties by working together.
3. Most of the respondents’ livelihood is gold panning, it is where they earn money to
buy their basic needs.
4. Problems brought about by gold panning were environmentalwhich is pollution of
air due to the chemical used, social which is migration of people and mostly health
related problems which is body pain and fatigue.
Recommendations
1. Gold panners should invest their income to other livelihood projects to augment
their household income.
2. People should consider safety precautions in handling chemicals during processing
of and disposal of waste.
3. Safety procedures and the use of protective gadgets should be observed during the
processing of gold.
Gold Panning in Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet. An assessment |
DACNES, MARICEL V. APRIL 2013
LITERATURE CITED
ABRAMATEA, N. 2003.Manila Bulletin. August 26, 2003. Vol. 368.No.26.p. 3.
ANDRES,C. M. 1997. Social Acceptability of Mining.Ancestral Rights and Community
Issues.P.109.
BENNET, N.1996.DENR Solutions to Open Pit Conflict.The Baguio Midland Courier.
XLIX. P. 15.
BENTREZ, M. 2000. Baguio City Cordillera Resources Center for Indigenous People’s
Right Inc. and Mining Communities Development Center Inc. Pp. 5-7.
BOTENGAN, B. 1997. Open Pit Mining Ok’d with some conditions. Baguio Midland
Courier. Vol. XLIX: 10-15.
BOSHKOV, L. 2003. Mining Facts. New York: McGraw – Hill. P. 10.
CARINO, J. 1993. Issue Paper 10. Itogon Inter-Barangay Alliance: Highlights of the
General Assembly Meeting on August 2, 1992 and February 28, 1993. Cordillera
Studies Center, 1993. Pp. 11-36.
CHADWICK J. 1987. International Mining Corporation. New Jersey: Edward Brothers
Inc. Pp. 19.
MINING COMMUNITIES DEVELOPMENT CENTER AND THE CORDILLERA
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN COMMITTEE, 1990. Open Pit Mining in
Itogon, Benguet.
NEW STANDARD ENCYLOPEDIA. 1996. Volume II. Publisher, edition. Pp. 281-282.
PENA, LL. 2002.Philippines Law on Natural Resources. Quezon City. Rex
PrintingCompany Inc. P. 142.
PUNAY, MG. 2004.A Video Documentary on the Mining Operation to the Mining
Communities of Itogon, BS.Thesis, BSU, La Trinidad, Benguet.
WORLD BOOK ENCYCLOPEDIA. 1991. Vol.13, Pp. 57.
Gold Panning in Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet. An assessment |
DACNES, MARICEL V. APRIL 2013
DACNES, MARICEL V. APRIL 2013. Gold Panning in Tinongdan, Itogon,
Benguet. An assessment. Benguet State University, La Trinidad, Benguet.
Adviser: Jamesly T. Andres, Msc.
ABSTRACT
The study was conducted in Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet with 50 respondents who
were engaged on gold panning. It was conducted to determine the reasons why the
respondents are engaged in gold panning, the family members who are involved in the
various processes of gold panning, where do they use the money they earn from gold
panning, and the problems encountered by the respondents on gold panning.
Majority of the respondents were male and married. In educational attainment most
of the respondents did not finish formal education and most of the respondents belong to
the older age bracket. Result showed that most of the respondents had been engaged in
gold panning for 1 to 10 years. Majority of the respondents claimed that their average
production of gold is from 1 to 3 grams in a week depending on their ability to work. An
average income of 1000 to 3000 pesos can be produced depending on the price of gold in
the market.
The results revealed that gold panning is the main source of income among the
residents of Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet. The other reasons why the respondents engaged
in gold panning were as follows: it requires low cost of investment and gives high return
Gold Panning in Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet. An assessment |
DACNES, MARICEL V. APRIL 2013
in a short period of time, it improves standard of living, and it is a good source of capital
for farming activities.
The findings showed that fathers were more involved in panning than the other
member of the family because of their strength and endurance. On the processing of gold,
fathers were more knowledgeable and in the marketing, mothers were the ones who sell
the gold. Gold panning promotes closer family ties among panners by helping each other
to work on the various processes of gold panning.
The respondents claimed that the money they earned from gold panning was used
for basic needs of the family. Other uses enumerated in descending order by the
respondents were as follows: for buying clothes and paying credits, for buying medicines
and for paying the school fees of their children and for house construction.
As for the problems encountered in gold panning, majority of the respondents
experienced body pains and most of them experienced over fatigue and skin infections. Air
pollution due to the use of chemical in the processing of gold is claimed to be the most
common problem in the environment due to improper use and handling. In terms of the
social problem, majority claimed that the migration of people is brought about by gold
panning.
Gold Panning in Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet. An assessment |
DACNES, MARICEL V. APRIL 2013
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Background Information about the Respondents
Table 1 presents the background information about the respondents as to their
gender, age, civil status, educational attainment and the number of years in gold panning.
As shown in Table 1, majority of the respondents (66%) were males involved in
gold panning activities. There were more males involved in gold panning since it is a very
laborious activity where physical strength is needed; 31% of the respondents were females
that were involved in gold panning.
Most of the respondents involved were from 51 – 60 years old, followed by 41 –
50 years old. This shows that most of the respondents were middle age and they preferred
to do gold panning as their source of income.
Majority of the respondents were married. Out of the fifty respondents 34 were
married, 11 were single and 5 were widows. This implies that married people were engaged
in gold panning because they need more money to support their family.
As to the educational attainment, 56 % of the respondents had elementary
education. 42 % were able to reach high school level of education and only 2 % had finished
college. This shows that most of the respondents lost interest in going to formal education
because they were engross with gold panning.
Forty percent of the respondents had been engaged in gold panning for 1 – 10 years,
28% for 11 –20 years experience in gold panning. It showed that majority of the
respondents were experienced gold panners. This implies that they preferred gold panning
as their source of income to support their family.
Gold Panning in Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet. An assessment |
DACNES, MARICEL V. APRIL 2013
Table 1: Background information about the respondents
PARTICULARS
NO. OF RESPONDENTS
PERCENTAGE
Gender
Male
33
6
Female
17
31
TOTAL
50
100
Age
20 – 30
10
20
31 – 40
5
10
41 – 50
13
26
51 – 60
19
38
61 - 70
3
6
TOTAL
50
100
Civil Status
Single
11
22
Married
34
68
Widow
5
10
TOTAL
50
100
Gold Panning in Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet. An assessment |
DACNES, MARICEL V. APRIL 2013
Table 1. continued …
PARTICULARS
NO. OF RESPONDENTS
PERCENTAGE
Elementary
28
56
High School
21
42
College
1
2
TOTAL
50
100
No. of Years in Gold Panning
1 - 10
20
40
11 - 20
14
28
21 - 30
8
16
31 - 40
6
12
41 - 50
2
4
TOTAL
50
100
Reasons for Engaging in Gold Panning.
As shown in Table 2, most of the respondents (74 %) claimed to have engaged in
gold panning because it provides employment. The other reasons, as enumerated by the
respondents, in a descending order of preference were as follows: it requires low
investment cost and gives high return in a short period of time, it improves standard of
living, and it is a good source of capital for farming activities.
Results of the study imply that gold panning is a good source of income and it caters
to the needs of the people in the rural areas. The findings relate to the claim of Andres
(1997) that mining plays a major role in the national economy in terms of employment
Gold Panning in Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet. An assessment |
DACNES, MARICEL V. APRIL 2013
generation. It has great positive contributions to both economy and development of the
communities.
Table 2: Reasons for Engaging in Gold Panning
NO.
OF PERCENTAGE
REASONS
RESPONDENTS
(%)
Provides Employment
37
74
Improves Standard of Living
12
24
Provides Capitalization for Farming Activities
4
8
Source of Income
42
84
Low Investment and Short Implementation Period 14
28
*Multiple Responses
Average Production of Gold per Week.
As shown in Table 3, most of the respondents (76%) claimed to have an average
production of gold from one to three grams a week. Other respondents claimed that their
average production of gold in a week is from four to six grams, seven to nine grams in a
week and ten grams
The finding implies that production of gold is dependent on the ability of the gold
panner to extract gold from the river. Gold panning is a laborious activity where physical
strength is needed, this means that you have a better chance of getting more gold when you
are physically fit. According to the respondents they can also get more gold when they
work for longer hours as long as they can tolerate the heat of the sun. They also claimed
that they get more gold after there is heavy rain or after typhoons because of the runoff
from the mines.
Gold Panning in Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet. An assessment |
DACNES, MARICEL V. APRIL 2013
Table 3: Average Production of Gold per week
AVERAGE PRODUCTION (grams) NO. OF RESPONDENTS PERCENTAGE (%)
1 -3
38
76
4 - 6
9
18
7 - 9
2
4
10 and above
1
2
TOTAL
50
100
Average Income.
Majority of the respondents claimed that their average income from gold panning
is from Php 1,000 to 3,000 per week. Followed by respondents who claimed that they have
an average income of Php 4, 000 to 6, 000 per week. Only few claimed that they can have
an income of Php 7, 000 to 9, 000 per week.
The result implies that they are earning an amount just enough to sustain their
family needs. The respondents claimed that the income they get depends on the prevailing
price of gold in the market.
Gold Panning in Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet. An assessment |
DACNES, MARICEL V. APRIL 2013
Table 4: Average Income
AVERAGE INCOME(Php)
NO. OF RESPONDENTS
PERCENTAGE (%)
1,000 - 3,000
26
52
4,000 - 6,000
21
42
7,000 - 9,000
2
4
10,000 and above
1
2
TOTAL
50
100
How they Use their Money Earned
from Gold Panning
As shown in Table 5, all the respondents claimed that the money they generated
from gold panning is primarily use to buy food. Other uses enumerated in descending order
by the respondents were as follows: for buying clothes and paying credits, for buying
medicines and for paying the school fees of their children and for house construction.
The findings imply that most of the earnings of the respondents from gold panning
is for buying mainly the basic needs of the family. The finding supports the claim of Punay
(2004) that most of the families believed that the gold they get from mining is God’s gift
that has to be taken to meet their needs.
Gold Panning in Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet. An assessment |
DACNES, MARICEL V. APRIL 2013
Table 5: Usage of Money Earned from Gold Panning
USES
NO. OF RESPONDENTS
PERCENTAGE (%)
For buying food
50
100
For buying clothes
31
62
For buying medicines
27
54
For house construction
11
22
For paying school fees of children 27
54
For paying credits
31
62
*Multiple Response
Family Involvement in the Various
Processes of Gold Panning
Family involvement in the various processes of gold panning as to panning,
processing, and marketing as shown in Table 6.
Most of the respondents claimed that fathers were more involved in gold panning
than the mothers or other members of the family because of their strength and endurance.
This finding relates to the claim of Pena (2002) that small scale gold mining is an activity
that relies on manual labor.
As shown in Table 6 most of the respondents claimed that the fathers were involved
in the processing of gold. It implies that fathers were more knowledgeable on how to
process gold.
In marketing, majority of the respondents claimed that mothers were the ones who
sell the gold. It showed that mothers were trusted to handle marketing of gold.
Gold Panning in Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet. An assessment |
DACNES, MARICEL V. APRIL 2013
Gold panning activities promotes cooperation among families. The respondents
claimed that gold panning activities needs a full cooperation among family members to
facilitate the panning and processing of gold.
Table 6.Family Involvement in the Various Processes of Gold Panning
PARTICULAR NO. OF RESPONDENTS
PERCENTAGE (%)
Panning
Father
37
74
Mother
22
44
Children
11
22
Multiple Response
Processing
Father
35
70
Mother
11
22
Children
10
20
Multiple Response
Marketing
Father
24
48
Mother
33
66
Children
17
34
Multiple Response
Gold Panning in Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet. An assessment |
DACNES, MARICEL V. APRIL 2013
Problems Encountered in Gold Panning.
Health problems were common to all of the respondents. Body pain was mentioned
by 98% of the respondents and over fatigue was another complaint 72 % of gold panners
since it is a laborious work. Other problems were skin infections and respiratory illnesses.
This shows that gold panning had several health hazards.
With regard to the environmental problems that can be derived from gold panning,
most of the respondents (74 %) claimed that air pollutants were due to the use of chemical
(nitric acid) used in the processing of gold as major environmental problem. According to
the respondents air pollution due to the use of chemical during the processing of gold is
not only an environmental problem but it also affects their health. They also mentioned
widening of river banks (58%), water pollution (22%) and siltation as contributors to
environmental problems as a result of gold panning..
On the social problems, majority of the respondents claimed that migration of
people (58%) is a major problem brought about by gold panning. Other problems were
deterioration of peace and order and increase in the number of out of school youth. The
result implies that gold panning induce migration of people in the community. Gold rush
attracted migrants to try their luck. Several problems of physical injuries were recorded
due to the drunkenness and misunderstanding among gold panners. According to the
respondents there was an increase in number of out of school youth since they prefer to
venture in gold panning and leave school.
Gold Panning in Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet. An assessment |
DACNES, MARICEL V. APRIL 2013
Table 7. Problems Encountered in Gold Panning
PROBLEMS
NO. OF RESPONDENTS
PERCENTAGE (%)
Health Problems
Respiratory Illness 4
8
Skin Infection
31
62
Over Fatigue
36
72
Body Pains
49
98
Multiple Response
Environmental Problems
Water Pollution
11
22
Widening of River
27
54
Siltation
5
10
Air Pollution
37
74
Multiple Response
Social Problems
Migration people 29
58
Peace and Order
17
34
Increase no. of 11
22
Osy
Multiple Response
Gold Panning in Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet. An assessment |
DACNES, MARICEL V. APRIL 2013
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Summary
Majority of the respondents were male and married. In educational attainment most
of the respondents did not finished formal education and most of the respondents belong
to the older bracket. Result showed that most of the respondents had been engaged in gold
panning for 1 to 10 years. Majority of the respondents claimed that their average production
of gold is from 1 to 3 grams in a week depending on their ability to work. An average
income of 1000 to 3000 pesos can be produced depending on the prevailing price of gold.
All of the respondents claimed that the money they earned from gold panning is used for
buying the basic needs of the family.
The result revealed that gold panning is the main source of income of the
respondents. Gold panning promotes closer family ties among panners by helping each
other to work on the various processes of gold panning. The respondents claimed that the
money they earned from gold panning was mainly used for basic needs of the family.
As for the problems encountered in gold panning, majority of the respondents
experienced body pains, over fatigue and skin infections. Air pollution was due to the
chemical used in the processing of gold. These were the most common problems that
results to serious threat in the environment. In terms of the social problem, majority
claimed that the migration of people was due to gold panning activities where people from
other places engaged in gold panning in Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet.
Gold Panning in Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet. An assessment |
DACNES, MARICEL V. APRIL 2013
Conclusions
The following conclusions were drawn based on the findings:
1. Gold panning is the main source of income of the people in Tinongdan.
2. Gold panning provides livelihood to the respondents and it promotes closer family
ties by working together.
3. Most of the respondents’ livelihood is gold panning, it is where they earn money to
buy their basic needs.
4. Problems brought about by gold panning were environmentalwhich is pollution of
air due to the chemical used, social which is migration of people and mostly health
related problems which is body pain and fatigue.
Recommendations
1. Gold panners should invest their income to other livelihood projects to augment
their household income.
2. People should consider safety precautions in handling chemicals during processing
of and disposal of waste.
3. Safety procedures and the use of protective gadgets should be observed during the
processing of gold.
Gold Panning in Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet. An assessment |
DACNES, MARICEL V. APRIL 2013
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Gold Panning in Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet. An assessment |
DACNES, MARICEL V. APRIL 2013