MANILA, 23 JULY– The Philippines recently pioneered a brand of responsible and ethical gold from the artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector with the launching of Compassionate Gold during the Philippine Fashion Week last May. Senator Nancy Binay expresses her support to the ASGM sector and helps push for Compassionate Gold advocacy as she wears the brand in one of her engagements at this year’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Rodrigo Duterte.
“We at BAN Toxics are very proud to announce that Senator Nancy Binay has answered our call for a partnership to spread awareness about the Compassionate Gold brand. By her wearing the brand at this year’s SONA, more people will know of our advocacy to help uplift the often-overlooked ASGM sector.” Mr. Rey San Juan, Deputy Executive Director (DED) of NGO BAN Toxics said.
Through the funding of U.S. Department of Labour (US DOL), BAN Toxics and the International Labour Organization (ILO) Country Office in the Philippines have been working together with the ASGM communities through the CARING Gold Mining Project. Compassionate Gold is the project’s innovative effort to eliminate child labor, improve harsh working conditions, and end mercury use in the Philippines’ small-scale gold mining communities.
Senator Nancy Binay wears the “Sarimanok”, the first Compassionate Gold jewelry piece at one of her engagements during President Duterte’s 2018 SONA.
By wearing a Compassionate Gold piece, the senator will help raise consciousness on the said issues that marginalize at least half a million Filipinos belonging in the sector. “It is concerning that women and children are involved in a high-risk occupation such as ASGM. They are the most vulnerable when working under harsh conditions particularly the use of mercury in gold extraction. Hopefully, efforts as simple as wearing the brand can contribute to the transformation of the sector little by little, I encourage people to know more about the ASGM communities and the Compassionate Gold advocacy,” Senator Binay added.
Moreover, Senator Binay’s support to the brand is in line with her membership to Senate committees addressing specific concerns such as the Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources; Committee on Social Justice, Welfare, and Rural Development; Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality; and Committee on Youth; to name a few.
Compassionate Gold (CG) as a pioneer for transformative gold ensures that gold sources comply to the following standards: 1) part of formal economy; 2) legally-operated; 3) employs environmentally-sound practices; 4) does not use mercury; 5) promotes decent working conditions; 6) has no gender inequality; 7) has no child labor; 8) does not contribute to armed conflict; and 9) has transparent supply chains.
The CG jewelry which Senator Binay wore is an elaborate Sarimanok necklace and earring piece. It is a classic design which has been passed on from a family of artisans from Camarines Norte. Moreover, Mr. Sonny Escio, the artisan behind the piece came from three generations of goldsmiths and has received several national awards and recognition for his craftsmanship.
The Sarimanok, is the first piece of the Compassionate Gold brand. It was designed by Mr. Romeo “Sonny” Escio, an artisan from Camarines Norte.
Stay tuned for the showing of the additional pieces of the Compassionate Gold jewelry line in the Philippine Fashion Week scheduled this November. For more information, visit www.compassionategold.com.