BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — The Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) a center for the mining and geosciences industry in the Philippines. Within this traditionally male-dominated field, women are slowly but steadily making their marks.
“We, the women working in the mining and geology industry are already proving ourselves. Pinatunayan na natin and it’s progressive, we are already doing it and we should keep on doing it,” Mines and Geosciences Bureau-Cordillera(MGB-CAR) gender and development focal Sheila May Sanqui said during a Cordillera Minera Forum.
Results of a survey conducted by the MGB-CAR showed that total women employees in the mining and geosciences industry in the region rose to 9.89 percent.
“Out of 7,355 employees working in the mining and geosciences industry, 728 of them are women,” said MGB-CAR Regional Director Fay Apil.
Most of the women employees in mining companies are assigned administrative functions but many are proving their success in managing teams and driving departmental initiatives helping shape the future of the sector.
“75 percent in the Benguet Corporation managerial positions are women, most of the departments are headed by them,” Atty. Froilan Lawilao, the legal officer of Benguet Corporation said.
Some women in the mining industry in the region who are working in the area of operations are very competitive .
Among them are Engineer Danna Kitz Pomeg-as, Ventilation Engineer of Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company; Engr. Lady Trisha Montes, Safety Engineer of Itogon Suyoc Resources Incorporated; Engrs. Rowena Blanco and Marie Aurora Dolipas, the Environment Manager, and Safety Group Manager, respectively of Philex Mining Corporation.
“Kaya natin mag-work dito kahit na male-dominated ang industry na ito kaya huwag sana tayong matakot, instead let’s do our best,” said Atty. Desiree Zan Lud-ayen of the MGB.
The rise of women leaders and workers in Philippine mining and geology sector is a positive development for the industry. Their diverse perspectives and skills are essential for ensuring its growth and sustainability.**JDP/DEG with Venus Mei Caguioa-BSU
