Following an anonymous complaint letter from a local resident regarding safety hazards and poor work conditions, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) – Cordillera launched a fact-finding mission at the small-scale mining site in Barangay Fedlisan, Sagada.

To investigate the claims, the DOLE inspection team conducted site visits and coordinated with local government officials, the police, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the DENR, and the Northern Sagada Barangay Small-Scale Mining Association, Inc. (NSBSSMAI).

NSBSSMAI officers said that while investigators confirmed that there was no child labor at the site, the inspection highlighted several pressing issues regarding low wages and inadequate safety practices. 

During the visit, NSBSSMAI officers justified concerns over low minimum wages by explaining that tunnel or “portal” workers often do not complete full eight-hour shifts and are given free meals by their employers.

Meanwhile, laborers at the processing mills (gilingan) work in standard eight-hour shifts with free meals, though the association pointed out that their workload is less dangerous and physically demanding than digging inside the tunnels.

In response to these findings, DOLE advised a complete wage restructuring, requiring operators to set different pay scales that accurately reflect the unique hardships and dangers of each specific job.

To ensure the physical well-being of the workers, DOLE also mandated strict compliance with Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) standards. These standards are set by DOLE and DENR-MGB, focusing on hazard prevention, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), training, and environmental safeguards. These standards aim to reduce accidents, protect workers from toxic exposure (like mercury), and ensure compliance with national labor and mining regulations.

Moving forward, all miners are strictly required to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at all times while working. Additionally, every mining group must choose and formally train three safety officers and three first-aiders, as well as keep fully stocked first-aid kits directly at the work areas. These shall address emergency preparedness and workers safety.

Officials of the mining group say that no environmental safety and management concerns were raised during the inspection. As a final step toward legal accountability, the association was directed to officially register its organization with DOLE, and government agencies will continue to monitor the site to ensure these safety and wage rules are followed.