THE GOLDEN PROVINCE OF MINDANAO

Compostela Valley, called Comval is a province located in the Davao Region in Mindanao. This 4th newest province of the Philippines used to be part of Davao del Norte until it was made independent in 1998. It might interest you to know that this province was the location for the movie, I Come with the Rain starring Hollywood star Josh Hartnett

Majority of the inhabitants are migrants from Cebu and other Visayan provinces. The cultural minorities in the province include Mansaka, Mandaya, Dibabawons, Mangguangans and Aeta groups such as the Talaingod, Langilan, and Matigsalug.

Comval occupies a total land area 4,667 square kilometers; 24.7% of the total land area of the Davao Region. The province is rich in agricultural lands planted with coconut, bananas, white potatoes and mineral deposits which is mostly gold.

ComVal province, particularly Monkayo town, is the gold-mining center in the Southern Mindanao Region with its gold rich mining areas in Diwata of Monkayo, Bango of Compostela, Masara of Maco, Inupoan of Nabunturan, and Boringot, Diyat and Kingking of Pantukan.


The Jewelry industry of Comval

From the year 2008 to 2012, Philippine jewelers are eyeing exports of $400 million to the world's markets, according to the Guild of Philippine Jewelers. The World Gold Council (WGC) has cited the Philippines as the third biggest gold producer in Asia, next to Indonesia and Papua New Guinea and the 14th world's highest gold producer.

Some 100,000 workers are employed by the country's jewelry industry with gold and silver sourced locally from various gold mines in Camarines Norte, Davao Province, and Compostela Valley, according to WGC.

Gold and silver coming from various gold mines in Mindanao are expected to help boost the growth of the Philippine jewelry industry.

Because of the abundance of mineral deposits the province of Compostela Valley is now focusing on developing their jewelry industry. The gold and silver that will be used in the production of jewelries will be sourced within the province – from the gold rich area of Diwalwal and Monkayo.

Jewelry Cooperative

The province has also started cashing in on its precious minerals deposits by adding value to raw materials. The artisans of the province, through their cooperative, the Diwalwal Artisan Entrepreneurs Cooperative in the gold rush Diwalwal, Monkayo, have started making their jewelry like rings, pendants, necklaces and other similar items.

The cooperative can produce at least 100 pieces a month by processing raw gold and silver into jewelry pieces which are artistically designed and can compete with those made in Manila or in other countries. These pieces are reasonably priced since the gold and other precious stones used are found in the province

The provincial government is also very supportive of the industry. I learned that Gov. Arthur Uy and Cong. Zamora; both a strong advocate of the jewelry sector have set aside a significant fund to help develop the industry. This will go to the training of the artisans and craftsmen so that they can develop their skills and artistic abilities to manufacture and design beautiful pieces of jewelries that may be exported in the future.

The local business community is bullish in its pursuit to develop Comval as
Mindanao’s jewelry capital inspired by the experience of Meycauyan in Bulacan, an area where there is no gold reserves but has a very strong jewelry making industry.

The Solidarity Ring

The solidarity ring, a symbol of unity and oneness among the people of Comval is found in the capitol lobby. It is 18-karat two-toned ring with an interior diameter of 5 inches and exterior diameter of 6 inches, made up of 1.18 kilograms of gold of shining finish and 308 grams of 99.9 percent pure silver of diamond finish and weighing 1.488 kilograms,
The solidarity ring also is the best centerpiece of the province biggest jewel and assets – the gold deposits that changed many of their lives since the precious metal was found in their province in the 1980’s.

There are now many initiatives to harness the strength of ComVal in jewelry-making and among them is the P3.5- million jewelry-making skills training center that will soon rise in gold-mining town of Monkayo, Compostela .

Developments such as these should be given more focus by both the national and local government since these will result to more jobs and investments in the country side. When our people are gainfully employed and are able to provide for food and education to their family; then peace will truly be in our midst.


(Joji Ilagan Bian is a strong and respected advocate for the development of the region. She is Chair of Joji Ilagan Foundation ( www.jojiilagancareercenter.com) ; President , Phil. Call Centers Alliance and Mindanao Tech Voc Schools Association; Mindanao Rep, Export Development Council. Email comments jojibian2@yahoo.com)