Incredible Semirara

It’s definitely not love at first sight.

Because that’s surely what you’d feel when you set foot on Boracay with its fantastic beaches, impressive resorts and sophisticated-looking vacationers.

Getting off the plane on Semirara island—just a few nautical miles from Boracay, you’d be impressed by, hmm… let me think. The concrete runway, that’s it! And nothing more.

Everywhere else you go is dust—no need for facial powder because you’d get all powdery anyway by just going out where the tricycles and huge trucks rumbled.

But there I go again! That’s me being judgmental. I judged Semirara even before the dust had settled.

Mea culpa! Today, I'm totally smitten by Semirara.

Because Semirara is anything but dull. Under that limestoney facade are layers and layers of coal. Hot! That means subsidized power rates for the residents even as its coal is sold elsewhere.

But power is just the tip of the iceberg. Its people are so blessed they’re always thanking the good Lord for their windfall of blessings; and they’re many.

Semirara is part of the Antique islands in the Visayas. It used to be literally dirt-poor, a fourth class municipality—until Semirara Mining Corporation (SMC).

The company took over the island’s mining operations in 1997 and since then, things have not been the same. The municipality has become filthy rich, as has the province and the national economy. And mind you, it even surpasses Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) conditions!

Semirara Mining has transformed the island’s first mine into a lake which now teems with rich marine life and attracts migratory birds searching for food-rich tropical destinations.

If you’re a first timer, it would be hard to imagine that this huge placid lake overlooking the ocean was previously a mine pit dug more than 200 meters below sea level. Rehabilitation around the mine area goes on full blast, with narra, molave, coconut and other fruit trees and agricultural crops being planted everywhere.

Its second mine, Panian, is also almost mined out. Soon, a third mine’s overburden or soil will fill up the huge Panian crater. Get ready for a greater-than-Boracay destination because SMC is serious about turning this entire island into an eco-tourism hub that will demonstrate eco-friendly practices—a world standard if you please.

So what makes us think this vision is not just lip service, as many companies are wont to do just to get their way to stuff their pockets full?

Here lies the difference: Aside from the massive rehabilitation and development efforts, both of its inland and marine resources, SMC is investing a lot—and I mean humongous sums—on education and the training of Semirara residents on skills and entrepreneurship, and supporting them every which way possible.

Prime example: Its fisherfolk have greatly increased their catch because they now have five big boats for deep sea fishing, a good-sized pier and an ice plant. The company’s marine biologists, on the other hand, have started to propagate giant clams in the island’s widely-protected mangroves (which the company also planted) to quicken the production of marine life.

Giant clams apparently help filter and enrich the water with food, making mangroves caring nurseries for baby fish.

SMC president Victor Consunji states it simply: “When our task is over, we want to leave a place where its leaders and residents are equipped to manage their resources and their future. The island’s wealth should accrue to them.”

Is this Shangri-la? No, it’s just a place where a company—with its uncommon leaders—makes common-sense work for the good of many. (And I’m not in its payroll.)

Hats off to you, Mr. Consunji, your team and the Semirara people!