by Megan P. Gamet

                Man has indeed advance in the passing of time, discovered some elements of the vast universe and had even cloned that whom he has the same image with, thereby transcending if not breaking the laws of nature, yet inspite of these milestones it became evident as his identity as a person all with his knowledge, potential and skills. They have endowed of the talents and positive traits which his forebears have congenitically and traditionally handed him.

                Because of the great struggle that man exerted to minimize problems, such as technology and science have brought rapid changes. Nowadays, our earth is facing these rapid changes it may be beneficial or not. It is because of technology and science, we cannot deny that technology and science give a great impact of help to man, it may be in health issues, education, communication, travel, construction, chemicals or even on the minerals, it is one of the foundation of the Minerals Development.

                Technology, science and sustainability are the answer to the problems we are facing nowadays. Let us take the example, technology and science: foundations for responsible Minerals Development. It is now made possible for the great development of the minerals through this. Minerals have been developed through the process which is relevant to science and technology, BIOTECHNOLOGY, process wherein raw materials are then converted into useful products medicines and other beneficial products from minerals. This can be proven by conducting research studies, wherein useless plants we may think, that we can see in our surroundings can be one of themost useful product for preventing or curing the different contagious disease, it can also be used as an alternative products for some commercial products… who knows? that these useless plants can be turned into something useful and will help our society in all aspects. So, believe that the change is in our hands, all we need to do is discover and explore, because everything in this world, there is something to be developed and discover. And we can do this by recognizing the science, technology and sustainability.

                Our world is full of secrets, mysteries and different minerals , it may be found on land or water. We haven’t discovered yet all the minerals and elements, but now it is made possible by science and technology. Minerals are gift given by GOD, and these should not to be destroyed it is something to be renewed and to be developed.

                We are the start of the change the development of the minerals lies in our hands. So what are we waiting for? Let us grab the chance and opportunity in developing these.

                Our world is vulnerable with the disasters, calamities and catastrophes that come caused by the technology itself. We can never deny that technology is a great help to man but in some ways it can also be destructive, like the pollution coming from vehicles and factories. So, if we are not doing our responsibilities, what would happen? What will happen to the near future?, to the next generation?

                So let us unite in becoming a potent force in developing our minerals, in doing our obligations to the nature so as to protect our children who are the foremost victims of these changes. Instead, let us be reminded of king David’s words: “Train up a child in a way he should go, that when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

Megan P. Gamet

Urdaneta City National High School

In every few years had passed by: scientists and experts had developed the field of science and technology. Its sustainability had grown and developed. It never fails us to admired each things that transformed with the use of science and technology power and knowledge. Our environment transformation had become the foundations and the responsible of the minerals and as well as the environment development.

                Though it never fails us to sustain our necessities; it always carries us the negative side of it. However, scientist and experts had tried to reduce the negative side of it. With the good foundations of science and technology sustainability, we can able to perform a good and highly industry development and economic development. New highly quality products were able to published and commercialized with the help of the scientists that studied each element that contained on it. New highly technologies invented had developed the world’s largest economic industry. With the development of science and technology it is already a part of our everyday lives.

                Science and technology sustainability had developed and conquered the world. Yet, it never fails to abandon us in each necessity that we need. In addition, scientists and experts was able to produce a highly entertainment technology for the public entertainment. We were able to make friends in the different part of the world with the use of the social networking sites, which developed our social being to the others.

                Science and technology provide us everything and somehow we gained a highly knowledge on it. Indeed, man had provided an advanced knowledge in the field of science and technology on this century of the world.

Zarmaine Faith D. Londres

Barotac Viejo National High School

                Science, a word short but meaningful. Science itself has many categories which have different functions in economic and social lives of people. They say, Science is something to change our lives.

                People in the early years have lived their life simply natural. They had nothing but mere natural resources all around them; and as they lived throughout their years, they used science as knowledge to make their lives easier. They made fire out of wood, and houses of out of bare rocks, and even food out of plants. Science has been present ever since the beginning.

                As we travel through the centuries after Stone Age, technology was slowly created. Technology came from science itself. At first, there were people who were brilliantly interested in Science that they made something useful out of something sophisticatedly natural. These useful things have been improved throughout the years and some are still currently improving. These things made a change to the life of each individual. Most are still being used in the present time.

                Nowadays, there has been many huge problems in our environment. We have lack of natural resources, mineral, food and water shortage and even land, water, air pollutions. And, yes these problems are due to man’s wrong doings, and the solution must also come from our own minds. Or else, we will all suffer and die just because of these environmental problems that result the different shortages.

                As for now, the only solution we can see is the sustaining of minerals. We all know that minerals come from mountains, seas, or even valleys. How could we help? Will this work? Certainly not. Well, not yet. The mountains are known to suffer from kaingin system and deforestation. Seas suffer from Red tide and fish kills. Even valleys and plains in the forest are turned to subdivisions and are used for housing projects. Where will we get mineral sources now? And of these all happen we will suffer too like El Niño and la Niña phenomena, earthquakes, landslides and more.

                This will not work, eventually. But, we can save this. Save mountains, valleys and plains through reforestation. Let us Reuse, Reduce and Recycle. Let us think about it. Man made this, man destroyed it, and man should save and fix it or else man dies because of it.

                Science is the one who got us into this world of new technology; science is the cause of man’s behavior. Therefore, science is the solution. Think about it. If you still can’t realize, then think twice. You might want to think about the future generation. Make a change.

                In the service of the youth, this year’s summer camp aims to promote Green Chemistry including responsible minerals development and its practical applications which aims to promote sustainable development in the Philippines and research and development among the youth indulging Science and Technology.

                Science and Technology are vital in our everyday lives. It yields to greater innovation and development in a community, country and state. It includes the applications of the ideas and concepts in Science. Output-based experiments, lectures and experience in the real world complete one’s knowledge in the field Science and Technology.

                Indeed, Science and Technology is everywhere. Still, if you look around and see the benefits it has bestowed upon us, yet there are harmful effects leading to the degradation of the Earth’s resources. Think and reflect on the disasters and catastrophes striking our country. Imagine the continuous depletion of our resources, particularly in the mineral aspects. Is this the life you want your children to inherit?

                The Philippines is truly rich in natural resources. Our natural resources should be used properly and efficiently. There’s a limit in everything may it be land, Water or air Resources. Consume these resources according to one’s needs not for the luxury of life.

                Millions of tall mountains covered with thick rainforests where species of all kinds seek shelter and survival which became one of our country’s major natural resources. Gold, diamond, silver, sapphire, platinum and other world-renowned precious minerals dug within the soil of the chain of mountains across the country are ready to be mined and converted into sparkling jewelries from head to toe and other high-costing things obtained from mining. Sadly, day to day our mountains are slowly depleting due to the misuse and extravagant life humans wanted. In a snap of time, it may disappear. Can we really do something that matter to the Earth, especially on the rapid accumulation of its mineral resources? In the universal scale, no. The Big Blue Marble will continue to spin, evolve and sustain life no matter what we do. But, we can do something to help minimize the terror of the effects of both natural and man-made massive destruction leading to the lost of natural resources.

                Illegal mining should be stopped at all cost. We only have limited nonrenewable mineral resources remained untapped for future use but greedy people nowadays tend to steal and use up everything left. Methods such as using dynamites and bombs to find an easier way to mine minerals underground should not be allowed by the government and private-owned companies due to several reasons. First, species of all sizes would be endangered since they live within the mountains or they tend to migrate in search for food and eventually die because of the widespread destruction of mountains where people mine for these minerals. Second, the nutritive additives present in the soil are degrading because of the exposure of the upper layer of soil in mountains.

                Science and technology could enhance the strengthening of Responsible Development in our Mineral Resources by inculcating and introducing immediate solutions in minimizing the vexing critical problem on the mining industry. Introducing an alternative method of excavating mineral resources without harshly affecting the soil could be one of the solutions. Reducing the building of underground subways and malls for nonfunctional valid reasons could be minimized.

                We could also compost our wastes to conver them into soil additives and fertilizers to lengthen the presence of minerals found within the soil and used in the industrial aspect. We can also avoid the use of chemicals such as pesticides in the soil because too much of it may loosen the soil’s mineral and nutrients thus not effective to be used in planting crops.

                Silicon found in the sand may be used in microchips and other hi-tech gadgets of today’s generation. Silicon is indeed one of the product of our mineral resources. Further research could invent more gadgets in no time using silicon-based materials.

                Science, technology and sustainability are the foundations for responsible minerals development but we, the youth of today’s generation, are the builders to make this possible. All we need is a little push to start doing it now.

                We can achieve sustainable development if we work together in strong camaraderie. We are the future and use our life as an instrument to make a difference.

                Our ecosystem has biotic and abiotic factors; that includes the minerals. Long before, people, especially scientists look for different ways to develop and sustain them. Since technology wasn’t available yet, they create various methods to produce their own kind of accessible materials and proceed with their study. In what they’ve done, life became easier in a sense that we make use of the things they’ve worked hard to be realized. Now the question is,” Has one done anything to maintain them?”

                “yes?” “No?” “Maybe?” The sentence may seem easy but in the deeper sense, it is quite hard to answer it… with no hesitations. One might say, “Yes, of course I’ve done something.” But then the question ‘how’ would follow and all others too; the polls would be endless. The reason why it’s hard for one to answer it straight might be because one does not consider Mineral Development a status quo. People, especially the teenagers who have the major responsibility of taking care of the environment spend a lot of time facing the computers, entertaining themselves with the multifarious fun and satisfaction they bring.

                Instead of using facebook, twitter, tumbler, online blogs and other social networking sites for clique communication and not-so-sensible updates, why not use it for promoting Mineral Development and other things that concern and encourage Ecological Balance? Go read a book, open search engines and research about the world one lives in. It might entertain and give fulfillment as well. Remember that what one has should not be wasted but should be used in a good, healthy manner.

                Never be afraid of being judges by others for being so geeky and so environment-conscious. What could be any cooler than being a scientist-wanna-be and doing one’s part in trying to mitigate his/her surroundings?

                There’s a saying that goes, “ a thing does not look like how it really is, it just depends on how the person sees it”. One has different perspectives and he/she can never let other modify them. Yes, no, maybe! We go back to the possible answers of the raised question. Instead of trying to prove to oneself that the answer is Yes, stop anf reflect on what one has done so far. Don’t push an answer. Don’t be too hard on oneself. Simply look around, see what one can do and do it… with no hesitations. A responsible and aware person does not answer the question with a yes, no, or maybe. He/she thinks hard and answers it with a concrete action.

                So what could be that action? Don’t ask others; ask oneself. Find out what one can do and what one should act. Then one will have the answer.

                With the major problems faced by the country before land even at present, it was just practical to put up mineries, quarries and the like to generate income for the country. It is not wrong to put up these things but the problem is, the system is flawed. Sustainability is not empowered. The focus may be is on the generation of income but how can they generate more income if they are not concerned with its sustainability? What possible foundations can be implemented then?

                What I suggest first, is flexibility. If certain authorities are to enforce rules on sustainability, then it should be flexible – which means applicable to any place or situation.

                Following is concerning people or the workers of the said industry. It is discipline. No matter how strong the ways that will be created if no one is responsible enough to follow it, then it will be futile. Third, if no satisfying solution has been formulated yet or even if there is one, the government still should continue on supporting our developers or scientists in looking for the best way.

                One of the major causes of the Philippines’ downfall is the loss of skilled and talented Filipinos – due to the lack of effort and ability of the government to sustain them. Therefore, the fourth suggestion falls on more of the government’s effort.

                Second to the last, is education. Children, teens or even adults can be given lectures about mineral development. Let them understand the situation of the industry. Making them aware creates a greater chance of accumulating help.

                Lastly, it is on exploration. Mineral Development sustainability does not only mean on preserving on what is present. We can also explore and hopefully find the hidden riches of the Philippines.

                Let’s say, all of the things said come true. Will it be effective? Yes. But will it last? That is if it is a good foundation.

                In a structural component, a foundation is a pile of blocks which supports the building or a structure. A good structure starts with a good designer. A designer knows how to start, when to construct, what materials to use and where to create.

                For the first one, the flexibility, a good designer is a scientist. For the discipline, it is an influential personality or a political leader.

                And for the rest, it falls on the President of the Philippines or the secretaries of appropriate agencies. These are just the designers. What do I lack? Workers. Without then, who will build those foundations? So what qualification do we need? As long as one has the heart, that is already enough. Then what we need are environmentalists. Will they be enough? Enough. Whom do need then? Everyone. Not everyone has the heart but everyone can have the heart. It may be difficults, but never impossible.

                Again I say, if all people come together, changing the flawed system, sustaining the mineral development through new and effective foundations built by good designers and workers, then not only mineral development will have on impact on change but also on every single industry of the Philippines, making way for us to go up again.