Compostela Valley, or Comval, is a province in the Davao Region in Mindanao. This fourth-newest province of the Philippines was a part of Davao del Norte province until it became a separate province in 1998. The movie ?I Come with the Rain,? starring Hollywood actor Josh Hartnett, was filmed in this province.

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

Comval occupies 4,667 square kilometers or 24.7 percent of the total land area of the Davao Region. The province is rich in agricultural land and mineral deposits, mainly gold.

Comval, particularly Monkayo town, is the gold mining center in the Southern Mindanao Region and rich mining areas can be found in Diwata of Monkayo, Bango of Compostela, Masara of Maco, Inupoan of Nabunturan, and Boringot, Diyat and Kingking of Pantukan.

Jewelry industry

The Guild of Philippine Jewelers says that from 2008-2012, local jewelers plan to export $400 million worth of products to the world market.

There is reason to be optimistic as 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 biggest in the world. Some 100,000 workers are employed by the country?s jewelry industry with gold and silver sourced from various gold mines in the provinces of Camarines Norte, Davao province and Compostela Valley, says the WGC.

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

The province has also started cashing in on its precious mineral 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 jewelry like rings, pendants and necklaces.

The cooperative can produce at least 100 pieces a month by processing raw gold and silver into jewelry pieces which 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 Representative Zamora, both strong advocates 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 jewelry that can eventually be exported.

The local business community is determined in its pursuit to develop Comval as Mindanao?s jewelry capital, inspired by the experience of Meycauayan in Bulacan, which has no gold reserves yet is strong in the jewelry industry.

Solidarity ring

The solidarity ring, a symbol of unity and oneness among the people of Comval, is found in the capitol lobby. It is an 18-karat, two-toned ring with an interior diameter of 5 inches and exterior diameter of 6 inches. It is made up of 1.18 kilograms of gold and 308 grams of 99.9 percent pure silver and weighs 1.488 kg.

The solidarity ring is also the best centerpiece of the province?s main asset?the gold deposits that changed many of the people?s lives since the precious metal was found in the province in the 1980s.

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

Developments such as this should be given more focus by the government since these will result in more jobs and investments.

When our people are gainfully employed and are able to provide food and education for their family, then peace will truly be in our midst.

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Joji Ilagan Bian is an advocate for the development of Mindanao. She is chairperson of the Joji Ilagan Foundation (www.jojiilagancareercenter.com), president of the Philippine Call Centers Alliance and of Mindanao Tech Voc Schools Association, and Mindanao representative to the Export Development Council. Email comments jojibian2@yahoo.com.